Lung Anatomy and Pathology

Lung Anatomy

The pulmonary arteries deliver _____________ blood to the lungs from the right ventricle of the heart. Oxygenated blood returns to the _____________ via the pulmonary veins.

Each lung has a half-cone shape, with a base, apex, two surfaces and 3 borders:

§ The base sits on the _____________

§ The apex projects above _________ and into the neck

The root of each lung is a short tubular collection of structures, covered by mediastinal pleura. This region is called the __________. A thin like fold of pleura that accommodates the down-and-up translocation of structures during breathing is called the ____________.

Within each hilum is:

§ _______________

§ _______________

§ _______________

The artery is __________, the veins __________ and the bronchus are somewhat ___________.

The right lung has 3 lobes (____,_______,________) and 2 fissures (________,_________). The oblique fissure follows the level of the __________, crosses the__________, then follows the contour of the ________)

The left lung has just the oblique fissure, which separates the 2 lobes.

The lungs pass next to a number of important structures in the mediastinum which include:

§ _____________

§ __________________

§ _______________________________

§ ______________________________

Lung Diseases

There are many types of lung diseases. These diseases can be grouped according to how they affect the lungs.

Asthma, chronic bronchitis (the airways become inflamed by infection…excessive amount of mucus produced), emphysema (damage of alveoli and lungs lose elasticity) COPD ( bronchitis and emphysema are together chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ), and cystic fibrosis (hereditary disease where excess mucus production causes frequent infection) - These all affect a person's airways and limit or block the flow of air in or out of the lungs.

Respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure) - These are caused by problems with the normal gas exchange and blood flow in the lungs.

Pneumonia and tuberculosis (TB) - Bacteria or viruses can cause these diseases that affect the membrane (or pleura) that surrounds the lungs. Other conditions can also affect the pleura.

Lung cancer - The number one cause of lung cancer is smoking.

Stiffening and scarring of lungs - The spaces between the tissues of the lungs (called the interstitium) can become stiff and scarred. This can be caused by drugs, poisons, infections, or radiation.

Lung disorders from unusual atmospheric pressure - Atmospheric pressures that are not typical can cause lung problems. This includes high altitudes (as in the mountains) where the air has less oxygen, or deep water where there is more atmospheric pressure and higher nitrogen levels in the blood