Lungs (Exam 1)

Describe the pleura.

- Surrounds the lungs

- 3 layers

- Composed of simple squamous epithelium

What are the 3 layers of the pleura?

- Parietal layer

- Pleural space

- Visceral layer

What are the 4 parts of the parietal pleura?

- Costal

- Diaphragmatic

- Mediastinal

- Cervical

What nerves innervate the parietal pleura?

- Intercostal nerves

- Phrenic nerves

Describe the visceral pleura.

- Firmly attaches to surface of lungs

- Insensitive to pain/touch

- Sensitive to stretch

What nerves supply the visceral pleura?

Pulmonary plexus

Describe the pleural cavity.

- Thin, fluid filled space between the parietal/visceral plural membranes

- Fluid acts as a lubricant so membranes can slide easily over each other during respiration

What is the diaphragmatic recess?

- Lower part of pleural space

- Deepest part of pleural space

What is the costomediastinal recess?

- Potential space that helps lungs to expand during inspiration

- Obvious in cardiac notch of left lungs

What are 3 features of the lungs?

- 2 ends

- 3 borders

- 3 surface

What are the 2 ends of the lungs?

- Apex (superior)

- Base (inferior)

What are the 3 borders of the lungs?

anterior, posterior, inferior

What are the 3 surfaces of the lungs?

costal, mediastinal, diaphragmatic

What is the root of the lungs?

- Collection of structures that attach to the lungs

- Present at T5-T7

- Covered in hilum

What is the hilum of the lung?

Cuff created by the mediastinal part of parietal pleura around the root

What are the contents of the root of the lung?

- Primary bronchus (R. side usually divides into secondary)

- Pulmonary artery

- 2 pulmonary veins

- Bronchial vessels

- Pulmonary plexus of nerves

- Lymphatics

What is the pulmonary ligament?

- Part of hilum that projects inferiorly

- Allows for movement during respiration

How many lobes are in each lung?

3 right, 2 left

What are the fissures of the right lung?

oblique and horizontal

What are the lobes of the right lung?

superior, middle, inferior

What is the fissure of the left lung?

oblique fissure

What are the lobes of the left lung?

superior and inferior

What are the impressions left on the right lung?

- Heart

- IVC and SVC

- Azygos vein

- Esophagus

- Right subclavian vessels

What are the impressions left on the left lung?

- Heart

- Arch of aorta

- Thoracic aorta

- Esophagus

- Left subclavian vessel

How is the bronchial tree divided?

- Trachea

- Primary bronchus

- Secondary bronchus

- Tertiary bronchus

Describe the trachea?

- Continuous with larynx

- Extends from cricoid cartilage to sternal angle

- C-shaped cartilage

- Carina

Why is the cartilage of the trachea C-shaped?

To allow the esophagus to expand during swallowing

What is the carina?

Bifurcation of trachea

Describe the main (primary bronchi).

- Branches off trachea

- Enter the root of the lung

- Right main bronchus is wider, shorter, and straighter

- Right side usually splits into secondary prior to entering lung

Which main bronchi is food more likely to enter?

Right main bronchi

Describe the secondary bronchi.

- Branched off primary bronchi

- They individually supply a lobe of the lung

Describe the segmental (tertiary) bronchi.

- Branches off of secondary bronchi

- Smallest removable part

- 10 on right side, 8 on left

How are the bronchi divided after the tertiary bronchi?

- Smaller bronchi

- Bronchioles

- Terminal bronchioles

- Respiratory bronchioles

- Alveolar sacs

- Alveoli

What are the brachopulmonary segments?

Area of lung supplied by a segmental bronchus and its accompanying pulmonary artery

What does the brachopulmonary segments consist of?

- Segmental (tertiary) bronchi

- Segmental (pulmonary) artery

- Lymph vessels

- Autonomic nerves

What supplies the right bronchial artery with blood?

3rd posterior IC artery

What supplies the left bronchial arteries with blood?

Thoracic aorta

How many left bronchial arteries are there?

2

What supplies the pulmonary arteries with blood?

Pulmonary trunk

Where do the bronchial veins drain to?

Bronchial veins

- Pulmonary or azygos veins

Pulmonary

- L. Atrium

Where do the pulmonary veins drain to?

Left atrium

What part of the nervous system is present at the bifurcation of the trachea?

Pulmonary plexus

What supplies sympathetic nerves to the lungs?

Vagus nerves

What is the route of lymphatic drainage from the lungs?

- Bronchopulmonary (hilar) nodes

- Tracheobronchial nodes

- Bronchomediastinal trunks

- Right lymphatic trunk/thoracic duct

What part of the left lung projects over the heart?

Lingula

What is the vertebral range of the trachea?

C6-T4/T5