PhysiologyLesson 2 of 2 in the course The Respiratory System

Lung Anatomy, Pulmonary Circulation, Airway Control, and Smoke Exposure

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

The lungs are paired organs that contain structures for moving air and exchanging gases. Their shape, divisions, and surrounding pleural membranes help them fit within the chest and expand during breathing. This lesson introduces the lungs’ gross anatomy and explains how the pleura supports lung movement.

The lungs are pyramid-shaped organs connected to the trachea by the right and left bronchi. Their bases rest near the dome-shaped diaphragm, the muscle at the bottom of the thoracic cavity. The superior region of each lung is its apex; the lower region near the diaphragm is its base.

All flashcards

How do the right and left lungs differ in lobes?
The right lung has superior, middle, and inferior lobes; the left has superior and inferior lobes.
What is a bronchopulmonary segment?
A division of a lung lobe supplied by its own tertiary bronchus and artery.
How do the visceral and parietal pleura differ?
The visceral pleura covers the lung and extends into its fissures; the parietal pleura lines the outer side of the pleural space and connects to the thoracic wall, mediastinum, and diaphragm.
What does pleural fluid do?
It lubricates the pleural surfaces and helps keep the lungs apposed to the thoracic wall as it expands.
How does autonomic activity affect airway diameter?
Sympathetic activity causes bronchodilation; parasympathetic activity causes bronchoconstriction.

Quiz questions

  1. Which direction does blood flow in the pulmonary veins?Answer: They carry oxygenated blood from the lungs toward the heart.
  2. What is the respiratory membrane?Answer: The thin interface between alveolar walls and pulmonary capillary walls.
  3. What effect does sympathetic activity have on the airways?Answer: It widens the airways through bronchodilation.
  4. What does second-hand smoke combine?Answer: Sidestream smoke and mainstream smoke exhaled by a smoker.
  5. Which health outcome is associated with second-hand smoke exposure in children?Answer: An increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Based on Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble, Peter DeSaix (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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