Thoracic Cavity and Pleura Anatomy

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Questions and Answers

What is the function of the pulmonary ligament?

To provide a dead space for the distention of the pulmonary veins (correct)

To separate the mediastinal pleura from the diaphragmatic pleura

To enclose the structures of the root of the lung

To cover the upper surface of the diaphragm

What is the purpose of the mediastinal pleura?

To cover the upper surface of the diaphragm

To enclose the structures of the root of the lung like a sleeve (correct)

To provide a space for the lung to expand during inspiration

To separate the costal and diaphragmatic pleurae

What is the relationship between the pleural cavity and the lung?

The pleural cavity is occupied by the lung only during forced inspiration (correct)

The pleural cavity is always occupied by the lung

The pleural cavity is never occupied by the lung

The pleural cavity is occupied by the lung except during forced expiration

How many pleural recesses are present in each pleural sac?

2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the diaphragmatic pleura continuous with at its circumference?

The costal and mediastinal pleurae Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the mediastinal pleura?

To provide a dead space for the distention of the pulmonary veins Signup and view all the answers

What is the diaphragmatic pleura continuous with at its circumference?

Costal and mediastinal pleurae Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pleural recesses?

To allow the lung to expand during forced inspiration Signup and view all the answers

What lies between the costal and mediastinal pleurae along the anterior border of the pleura?

Costomediastinal recess Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the cervical pleura?

Convex upwards Signup and view all the answers

Where is the highest point of the cervical pleura located?

About 3 cm above the clavicle Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Costodiaphragmatic recess located?

Between the Costal and diaphragmatic pleurae Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the cervical pleura?

Convex upwards Signup and view all the answers

Where is the highest point of the cervical pleura located?

About 3 cm above the medial 1/3 of clavicle Signup and view all the answers

On the right side, where does the anterior border of the pleura descend to?

The xiphisternal junction Signup and view all the answers

On the left side, where does the anterior border of the pleura deviate laterally?

At the 4th costal cartilage then to the left border of the sternum Signup and view all the answers

What is the point of termination of the anterior border of the pleura on the left side?

The 6th costal cartilage Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Thoracic Cavity

The mediastinal pleura covers the sides of the mediastinum and has different relations on the right and left sides.
It encloses the structures of the root of the lung like a sleeve.
The pulmonary ligament is a loose, empty double-layer fold of pleura that spans between the esophagus medially and the lung laterally.
The pulmonary ligament's function is to provide a dead space that allows the distention of the pulmonary veins when the venous return from the lung increases.

Pleural Recesses

Pleural recesses are arrow spaces of the pleural cavity that are not occupied by the lung except in forced inspiration.
Each pleural sac has two recesses:
- Costomediastinal recess: lies between the costal and mediastinal pleurae along the anterior border of the pleura, directly behind the sternum.
- Costodiaphragmatic recess: lies between the costal and diaphragmatic pleurae along the inferior border of the pleura, at the outlet of the thorax.

Surface Anatomy of the Pleura

Cervical pleura is represented by a curved line convex upwards, drawn from the junction of the medial and middle thirds of the clavicle to the sternoclavicular joint.
The highest point of this arch lies about 3 cm above the medial 1/3 of the clavicle.
Anterior border:
- Upper part is the same on both sides, descending obliquely downwards and medially from the sternoclavicular joint to the sternal angle.
- On the right side: it descends vertically to the xiphisternal junction.
- On the left side: it descends vertically down to the 4th costal cartilage, then deviates laterally to gain the left border of the sternum, and descends vertically to the 6th costal cartilage.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the thoracic cavity, including the mediastinal and diaphragmatic pleura, and their relationships with surrounding structures. Learn about the functions of the pulmonary ligament and more.