NUR 300 Thorax and Lungs

NUR 300 Thorax and Lungs
1. mediastinum
Answer
mid-section of thoracic cavity; contains esophagus, trachea, heart, and great vessels
2. right and left pleural cavity
Answer
contains the lungs
3. trachea
Answer
anterior to the esophagus
4. right bronchus vs left bronchus
Answer
right bronchus is shorter, wider, and more vertical which is why it is more common for
aspiration of foreign body to be in the right
5. visceral pleura
Answer
lines the outside of the lungs, continuous with parietal pleura lining inside of chest wall and
diaphragm
6. pleural cavity
Answer
potential space filled only with few milliliters of lubricating fluid
7. mechanics of respiration
Answer
supply oxygen to the body for energy production, removes carbon dioxide as a waste product of
energy reactions, maintains homeostasis (acid-base balance) of arterial blood (by supplying
oxygen to blood and eliminating excess carbon dioxide, respiration maintains pH or acid-base
balance of blood), maintains heat exchange (less important in humans)