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Questions and Answers
What structure ends by draining into the junction between the left internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein?
What structure ends by draining into the junction between the left internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein?
- Thoracic duct on the left posterior mediastinum (correct)
- Thoracic duct on the right posterior mediastinum
- Hemiazygous vein
- Cisterna chyli
Which structure bounds the thoracic cavity posteriorly?
Which structure bounds the thoracic cavity posteriorly?
- Sternal plane
- Body of sternum
- Bodies of T5-T12 (correct)
- Diaphragm
Where are the lungs contained within the thoracic cavity?
Where are the lungs contained within the thoracic cavity?
- Within the pericardial sac
- Superior mediastinum
- In a sealed pleural cavity (correct)
- Middle mediastinum
Which structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
Which structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
What is the course of the thoracic duct over at T4/T5?
What is the course of the thoracic duct over at T4/T5?
Where does the thoracic duct originate within the thoracic cavity?
Where does the thoracic duct originate within the thoracic cavity?
What is the significance of the pleural cavity in the respiratory system?
What is the significance of the pleural cavity in the respiratory system?
Which condition involves the accumulation of excess air or gas in the pleural cavity, leading to lung collapse?
Which condition involves the accumulation of excess air or gas in the pleural cavity, leading to lung collapse?
What is the main purpose of performing thoracentesis?
What is the main purpose of performing thoracentesis?
Which term refers to the inflammation of the pleura, often causing chest pain when breathing?
Which term refers to the inflammation of the pleura, often causing chest pain when breathing?
What are the spaces called that are formed by pleural reflections extending beyond the root of the lung?
What are the spaces called that are formed by pleural reflections extending beyond the root of the lung?
In which condition can air enter the pleural space but cannot escape, causing a life-threatening rise in intrapleural pressure?
In which condition can air enter the pleural space but cannot escape, causing a life-threatening rise in intrapleural pressure?
What is the primary cause of sharp, stabbing pain upon respiration in pleurisy?
What is the primary cause of sharp, stabbing pain upon respiration in pleurisy?
Where are the costodiaphragmatic recesses located?
Where are the costodiaphragmatic recesses located?
What is the main function of pleural recesses?
What is the main function of pleural recesses?
What characterizes a tension pneumothorax?
What characterizes a tension pneumothorax?
What procedure involves the insertion of a needle into the pleural cavity to drain fluid or air?
What procedure involves the insertion of a needle into the pleural cavity to drain fluid or air?
Which nerve innervates the mediastinal and central part of the diaphragmatic pleura?
Which nerve innervates the mediastinal and central part of the diaphragmatic pleura?
What is the purpose of bronchial arteries in lung anatomy?
What is the purpose of bronchial arteries in lung anatomy?
What is the main symptom of pleurisy?
What is the main symptom of pleurisy?
Where are the pleural recesses located in the thoracic cavity?
Where are the pleural recesses located in the thoracic cavity?
What is the potential consequence of a tension pneumothorax?
What is the potential consequence of a tension pneumothorax?
Which procedure involves the insertion of a needle into the pleural cavity to drain excess air or fluid?
Which procedure involves the insertion of a needle into the pleural cavity to drain excess air or fluid?
What characterizes the pleural cavity in relation to the lungs?
What characterizes the pleural cavity in relation to the lungs?
Which structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
Which structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
What term refers to the inflammation of the pleural lining and causes chest pain during respiration?
What term refers to the inflammation of the pleural lining and causes chest pain during respiration?
What is the primary characteristic of a tension pneumothorax?
What is the primary characteristic of a tension pneumothorax?
In pleurisy, what leads to sharp, stabbing pain upon respiration?
In pleurisy, what leads to sharp, stabbing pain upon respiration?
Where are the pleural recesses located within the thoracic cavity?
Where are the pleural recesses located within the thoracic cavity?
What is the main function of performing thoracentesis?
What is the main function of performing thoracentesis?
Which structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
Which structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?
What is a common misconception about tension pneumothorax?
What is a common misconception about tension pneumothorax?
Which nerve innervates the mediastinal and central part of the diaphragmatic pleura?
Which nerve innervates the mediastinal and central part of the diaphragmatic pleura?
What defines a pleural effusion?
What defines a pleural effusion?
What is a misconception about bronchopulmonary segments?
What is a misconception about bronchopulmonary segments?
In relation to thoracentesis, what might be a common misconception?
In relation to thoracentesis, what might be a common misconception?
What symptom characterizes pleurisy affecting the costal pleura?
What symptom characterizes pleurisy affecting the costal pleura?
What best describes the relationship between costal and diaphragmatic pleura?
What best describes the relationship between costal and diaphragmatic pleura?
What is a distinguishing feature of a tension pneumothorax?
What is a distinguishing feature of a tension pneumothorax?
What is the main purpose of performing thoracentesis in the context of lung health?
What is the main purpose of performing thoracentesis in the context of lung health?
In pleurisy affecting the mediastinal pleura, where is the pain usually felt?
In pleurisy affecting the mediastinal pleura, where is the pain usually felt?
What characterizes the costodiaphragmatic recesses in relation to lung expansion?
What characterizes the costodiaphragmatic recesses in relation to lung expansion?
What is a key distinguishing feature of a tension pneumothorax compared to a typical pneumothorax?
What is a key distinguishing feature of a tension pneumothorax compared to a typical pneumothorax?
What can be surgically resected in lung anatomy if needed?
What can be surgically resected in lung anatomy if needed?
What is the potential consequence of decreased venous return to the heart in tension pneumothorax?
What is the potential consequence of decreased venous return to the heart in tension pneumothorax?
Study Notes
Thoracic Cavity
- Bounded by chest wall and contains lungs and mediastinum
- Divided into three subdivisions: mediastinum, pleural cavities, and lungs
Pleura and Pleural Cavity
- Serous membrane that invests the lungs
- Consists of simple squamous epithelium, subserous fascia, and loose areolar connective tissue
- Parietal and visceral portions are histologically identical and continuous with each other
- Regionally named by its relationship to chest wall: cervical, costal, diaphragmatic, and mediastinal
Parietal Pleura
- Covers the apex of the lung in the neck region
- Lines ribs and intercostal surfaces
- Lines the thoracic surface of the diaphragm
- Lines the mediastinum
Pleurisy
- Inflammation of the pleura
- Causes sharp, stabbing pain upon respiration
- Can be classified into two types: costal pleura and mediastinal pleura
Pleural Recesses
- Potential spaces for lung expansion during forced inspiration
- Also serves as a space for fluid collection and spaces from which fluid can be aspirated
- Two types: costodiaphragmatic recesses and costomediastinal recesses
Trachea
- Fibrocartilaginous tube that extends from C6 to T4/T5
- Reaches the level of T6 during deep inspiration
- Anterolateral: U-shaped bars of hyaline cartilage
- Posterior: Smooth muscle (trachealis)
Bronchi
- Primary (main) bronchi: extend from carina to lung hilum
- Secondary bronchi: branch into lobar bronchi
- Tertiary (segmental) bronchi: supply bronchopulmonary segment
- Right bronchus: wider, shorter, and more vertical
- Left bronchus: narrower, longer, and more horizontal
Morphological Features of Lungs
- Right lung has three lobes separated by two fissures
- Left lung has two lobes separated by one fissure
- Fissures: horizontal and oblique
- Lobes: superior, middle, and inferior
Hilum vs Root of Lungs
- Hilum: area where pulmonary artery, pulmonary veins, and primary bronchus enter the lung
- Root: area where pulmonary artery, pulmonary veins, and primary bronchus exit the lung
Bronchopulmonary Segment
- Segment of the lung supplied by a tertiary bronchus
- Largest subdivision of a lobe
- Can be surgically resected
Functional Histology of the Lung
- Respiratory bronchioles: lead to individual pulmonary lobule
- Terminal bronchiole: branches into respiratory bronchioles
- Alveolar duct: branches into alveolar sacs
- Alveoli: site of gas exchange
- Elastic fibers: surround alveoli and assist in expiration
Blood Supply of the Lungs
- Pulmonary circulation: deoxygenated blood from the pulmonary trunk to the lungs
- Bronchial circulation: oxygenated blood from the bronchial arteries to the lungs
- Pulmonary veins: drain oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart
Nerve Supply of the Lungs
- Parasympathetic (CNX): bronchoconstriction and increased gland secretion
- Sympathetic (from T1-5): bronchodilatation
Lymphatic Drainage of the Lungs
- Right lymphatic duct: drains the right lung
- Thoracic duct: drains the left lung and thorax
- Bronchomediastinal trunk: drains the lung and mediastinum
- Superior tracheobronchial nodes: drain the lung and thorax
Posterior Mediastinum
- Bounded by: superiorly - sternal plane, posteriorly - bodies of T5-T12, anteriorly - body of sternum, and inferiorly - diaphragm
- Subdivisions: anterior, middle, and posterior
- Contents: thoracic duct, azygous vein, bronchus, hemiazygous vein, esophagus, and descending aorta
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Description
Test your knowledge of the anatomy of the thoracic cavity, including structures such as the sternum, diaphragm, thoracic duct, azygous vein, and more. Identify the boundaries and subdivisions of the thoracic cavity based on the given description.
