The thoracic cavity can be divided into the following 3 spaces…
- Two pulmonary spaces/cavities
-One central compartment
What is contained in the pulmonary spaces/cavities in the thoracic cavity?
Plurae, lungs, bronchial tree, and neurovasculature
What is contained in the central compartment of the thoracic cavity?
- Mediastinum (contains the heart in the pericardial cavity)
Thoracic spaces are separated from the abdominal cavity by the ____ (muscle)!
Diaphragm
What is pleura?
A continuous serous membrane forming a ‘’closed’’ sac lining both the outer surface of the lung (visceral) and the inner wall of the thoracic cavity (parietal).
At the ___ of the lung, the visceral pleura becomes the parietal pleura (or vice-versa) making it a closed sac!
Root
___________: a potential space within the sac (pleura) containing a few mL of serous fluid, which lubricates and helps to maintain ________ pressure in the cavity.
Pleural cavity
Negative
What are the divisions of the visceral pleura?
No divisions
What are the divisions of the parietal pleura?
- Cervical (neck)
- Costal (ribs)
- Diaphragmatic
- Mediastinal
What are pleural reflections?
Transitions between the different regions of parietal pleura
What are pleural recesses?
Potential spaces created by excess folds of parietal pleura in the areas of reflection
True or false?
Pleural cavities are smaller than the lungs at rest
False, they are larger
What is pneumothorax?
Air enters the pleural cavity -> loss of negative intrapleural pressure -> lung collapse
What is pleural effusion?
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity (e.g., serous fluid, blood)
What are some consequences of pleural effusion?
-Increase in intrapleural pressure
-Lung expansion limited
-May result in dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
The horizontal fissure is only seen on the ____ side.
Right
(Superior and middle lobes)
What is the hilum?
Root of the lungs, passage of airways/vasculature, point of transition of pleurae
Objects are more likely to lodge in the ____ (L/R) primary bronchus (60-70%) because it is wider, shorter, and runs more vertically than the ____ (L/R) primary bronchus.
Right
Left
Smaller objects may lodge in the ____ (part of lung) specifically in the _____ (superior/inferior) lobe, due to gravity.
Secondary bronchi
Inferior
Pulmonary veins carry _____ blood
Oxygenated
Damage to intercostal nerves may lead to… (sensation)
Sharp/stabbing localized pain in the lateral chest wall
Damage to the phrenic learn may lead to… (sensation)
Pain in the neck and shoulder (C3-C5)
The parietal pleura is innervated by…
Intercostal nerves and phrenic nerve (C3-C5)
The visceral pleura is innervated by…
Autonomic nerves
