Q:

What is the approximate length of the trachea in the adult? (cm)

A:

10 to 11 cm.

Q:

The trachea consists of 16 to 20 "U" shaped hyaline cartilages which are discontinuous posteriorly. What structure fills the posterior defect?

A:

The trachealis muscle.

Q:

What is the internal ridge at the bifurcation of the trachea known as?

A:

The carina.

Q:

What is the blood supply to the trachea?

A:

The superior and inferior thyroid arteries and the bronchial arteries.

Q:

What is the venous drainage of the trachea?

A:

The inferior thyroid veins and/or azygos system.

Q:

What is the lymphatic drainage of the trachea?

A:

To the cervical, tracheal and tracheobronchial lymph nodes.

Q:

What is the nerve supply of the trachea?

A:

The vagus, recurrent laryngeal nerves and fibres from the cervical sympathetic chain.

Q:

What important anatomical structures are related to the cervical part of the trachea anteriorly?

A:

Sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyroid isthmus, thymic remnant and inferior thyroid veins.

Q:

What important anatomical structures are related to the cervical part of the trachea posteriorly?

A:

Oesophagus and recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Q:

What important anatomical structures are related to the cervical part of the trachea laterally?

A:

Thyroid lobes, common carotid artery and inferior thyroid artery.

Q:

What important anatomical structures are related to the thoracic part of the trachea anteriorly?

A:

Manuibirum sterni, thymus, inferior thyroid vein, left brachiocephalic vein, aortic arch, brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, deep cardiac plexus, lymph nodes sternothyroid muscle and sternohyoid muscle.

Q:

What important anatomical structures are related to the thoracic part of the trachea posteriorly?

A:

Oesophagus and vertebral column.

Q:

What important anatomical structures are related to the thoracic part of the trachea laterally?

A:

Lungs, pleura, right brachiocephalic vein, superior vena cava (on the right), right vagus nerve, azygos vein (right), aortic arch (left), left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery and left recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Q:

The principal or main brochi extend from the tracheal bifurcation (approx level upper border of 5th thoracic vertebra) to the further division of the airways to form the lobar bronchi. Which of these two main brochi is shorter and wider?

A:

The right main bronchus.

Q:

What are the divsions of the right main bronchus?

A:

The right superior lobe bronchus, the right middle lobe bronchus and the right inferior lobe bronchus.

Q:

What are the divsions of the left main bronchus?

A:

The left superior and inferior lobar bronchi.

Q:

What is the term given to the serous membrane arranged as a closed invaginated sac that covers each lung?

A:

Pleura.

Q:

What is the name of the pleura which is adherant to the surface of the lung?

A:

Pulmonary or viscreal pleura.

Q:

What is the name of the pleura which lines the thoracic cavity, diaphragm and mediastinal contents?

A:

The parietal pleura.

Q:

What is the name of the potential space separating the visceral and parietal pleura?

A:

The pleural sac or cavity.

Q:

Where do the right and left pleral sacs come into contact with eachother?

A:

Behind the upper half of the sternal body.

Q:

What are the 4 regions the pleura is commonly divided into?

A:

1. The costovertebral (costal) pleura - adjacent to the ribs and vertebrae.
2. The diaphragmatic pleura           - adjacent to the diaphragm.
3. The mediastinal pleura             - adjacent to the mediastinum.
4. The cervical pleura (domes)        - over the apices of the lungs and adjacent to cervical structures.

Q:

What separates the costovertebral pleura from the sternum, ribs, transversus thoracis muscle, intercostal muscles and the sides of the vertebral bodies? 

A:

A thin layer of endothoracic fascia.

Q:

Where is the fascial suprapleural membrane (which strengthens the cervical pleura) attached?

A:

The internal border of the 1st rib and the anterio border of the 7th cervical vertebra's transverse process.

Q:

What are the 2 recesses into which the lungs expand in deep inspiration?

A:

The costomediastinal and costodiaphragmatic recesses.

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