Pleural Cavity and Lungs

What is the parietal pleura?

outer serous membrane that lines the internal thoracic wall, diaphragm and mediastinum

What is the visceral pleura?

inner serous membrane that adheres to the lung surface and follows its fissures

What is the pleural cavity?

potential space between parietal and visceral pleura containing a small amount of serous fluid to reduce friction

What is pleural reflection?

abrupt change in direction where parietal pleura passes from one surface (costal, diaphragmatic, mediastinal) to another

Name the two pleural recesses and there locations

- Costodiaphragmatic recess (lowest part between costal and diaphragmatic pleura)

- Costomediastinal recess (near sternum; between costal and mediastinal pleura)

why is the costodiaphragmatic recess clinically important?

most gravity dependent part of pleural cavity and where excess fluid (pleural effusion) accumulates

- making it ideal for thoracentesis

How do pleura contribute to lung expansion during inspiration?

negative intrapleural pressure and surface tension keep lung adhered to thoracic wall

- as the thoracic cavity expands, lung follows

What happens if pleural integrity is last?

air can enter the pleural cavity, the lungs recoil and collapses due to elastic recoil

What is the primary bronchus?

main airway entering each lung

- right is wider, shorter, and more vertical

What do primary bronchi divide into?

secondary (lobar) bronchi - one for each lobe

What do secondary bronchi divide into?

tertiary (segmental) bronchi

- one for each bronchopulmonary segment

What are the lobes and fissures of the left lung?

two lobes (superior,inferior)

- separated by left oblique fissure; also contains lingula and cardiac notch

What are the Rule of 2s for surface landmarks?

- midclavicular: lung ends rib 6, pleura rib 8

- midaxillary: lung rib 8, pleura rib 10

- scapular: lung rib 10, pleura rib 12

What if the function of the pulmonary arteries?

carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to alveoli for gas exchange

what is the function of the pulmonary veins?

carries oxygenated blood back to left atrium

what arteries supply the lung tissues themselves?

bronchial arteries

- small branches of thoracic aorta

What are the two lymphatic plexuses in the lung?

superficial (beneath visceral pleura)

deep (along bronchi and vessels)

Where do bronchopulmonary (hilar) nodes drain into?

tracheobronchial nodes

bronchomediastinal trunks

subclavian vein

What types of nerve fibers make up the pulmonary plexus?

sympathetic (bronchodilation)

parasympathetic (bronchoconstriciton)

visceral sensory afferents

what nerve supplies the parietal pleura?

intercostal nerves (costal and peripheral diaphragmatic pleura)

phrenic nerve (central diaphragmatic and mediastinal pleura)

Identify A

Cervical pleura

Identify B

Mediastinal pleura

Identify C

Costal pleura

Identify D

Diaphragmatic pleura

Identify A

Transverse fissure

Identify B

Oblique fissure

Identify A

Pulmonary Arteriole

Identify B

Bronchial arteriole

Identify C

Pulmonary Venule