Overview Anatomy of the Thorax

Question 1

Label

Answer 1

Question 2

Thoracic planes and lines

Answer 2

Question 3

What lies between the internal and innermost intercostal muscles

Answer 3

Neurovascular bundles; most important ones are the superior which sit in the groove of the upper rib

They run in the orientation of Vein Artery Nerve (VAN)

Question 4

Parietal Pleura and Visceral Pleura

Answer 4

They make up the pleura (sac) that encloses each lung

Visceral Pleura covers the lungs and the parietal lines pulmonary cavities

(REVISE)

Question 5

Role of fluid in parietal cavity

Answer 5

Decreasing friction during ventilation (potential space, not a real one)

Question 6

Discuss what must be avoided by a needle piercing the pleural cavity

Answer 6

Avoid the neurovascular bundle by inserting the needle close to the upper border of the lower rib

Question 7

Openings of the thorax

Answer 7

Superior and Inferior Thoracic Aperture (they are quite narrow)

Question 8

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Answer 8

Blockages of any of the structures in the superior thoracic aperture (e.g. brachial plexus nerves and artieries) such as from a tumour

Question 9

True ribs

Answer 9

1-7; they articulate directly with the sternum

Question 10

False ribs

Answer 10

8-10 as they do not articulate with the sternum; instead only with the rib above

Question 11

11th-12th ribs

Answer 11

They do not articulate at all; they exist posteriorly but not anteriorly

Question 12

Label

Answer 12

Question 13

Why do vertebral bodies increase in size as they go down the body

Answer 13

The load increases

Question 14

Two main functions of pec major muscles

Answer 14

Adduction and Medial rotation

Question 15

What attaches at the scalene tubercle and what is its role

Answer 15

Anterior scalene; a neck muscle that attaches to the first rib which is an accessory muscle of ventilation

Question 16

Which pectoralis muscles are accessory muscles of ventilation

Answer 16

Pectoralis minor and major

Question 17

Contrast the innervation of pectoralis minor and major

Answer 17

Both are innervated by Medial pectoral nerves but only pec major is innervated by lateral pectoral nerves

(Remember medial for medium - between major and minor so innervates both)

Question 18

Main functions of pectoralis minor

Answer 18

Depressor of scapula (hence shoulders) and protractor of scapula

Question 19

Where does the pectoralis major attach

Answer 19

Clavicular head attaches to the medial part of the clavical

Sternocostal head attaches to the sternum and costal cartilages 1-6 (look at name)

Both heads insert at the intertubercular groove on the humerus

Question 20

Where does the pectoralis minor attach

Answer 20

Attaches to the coracoid process of the scapula (fingerlike projections) and comes across and attaches to ribs 3-5 near their cartilages

Question 21

Axillary tail

Answer 21

Extension of the tissue of the breast that extends into the Axilla

Question 22

Retromammary space

Answer 22

Loose areolar tissue that separates the breast from the pectoralis major muscle

Question 23

Which is more superficial - Pec minor or major?

Answer 23

Pectoralis major is more superficial

Question 24

Mediastinum

Answer 24

Central part of the thoracic cavity that lies between the pleural cavities (contains many structures, including heart)

Question 25

Compare the boundaries of the superior and inferior mediastinum (sagittal view of thorax)

Answer 25

The superior mediastinum runs from T1-T4; its boundaries are the manubrium, vertebrae, sternal angle and superior thoracic aperture

Inferior mediasternum runs from T5-L1; its boundaries are the body of the sternum, sternal angle, diaphragm and vertebrae

Question 26

Contents of superior mediastinum

Answer 26

Thymus, great veins (e.g. superior vena cava), phrenic nerves, aortic arch and branches, pulmonary arteries and veins, trachea, thoracic duct, oesophagus

Question 27

Discuss the three sections of the inferior mediastinum and their contents

Answer 27

There are posterior, anterior and middle mediastinums

Anterior - Internal thoracic blood vessels, thymus and sternopericardial ligaments

Middle - Heart and pericardium, phrenic nerves and pericardiophrenic blood vessels

Posterior - Descending aorta, azygos veins, oespohagus, thoracic duct, sympathetic trunks