Lecture 2 Thorax ( overview and borders) Flashcards
What is the main separation point between the thorax and the abdomen?
Diaphragm
The diaphragm separates the thorax (chest) from the abdomen and the pelvis
List the 4 components of the thorax:
- Thoracic Wall
- Mediastinum
- Lungs in pleural cavities
- Thoracic diaphragm
Which area of the body is the thorax in?
Chest area
What is the inferior border of the thorax?
Diaphragm
What is the mediastinum?
Everything within the thoracic walls except the lungs
what is the Superior Thoracic Aperture (thoracic inlet)?
opening into the thorax
- essentially what our neck sits on
what covers the Inferior Thoracic Aperture?
The diaphragm
List 3 important features of the Superior thoracic aperture:
- No covering in area
- important structures pass through
3 Sloped downward
what is the border of the inferior thoracic aperture in the anterior aspect of our body?
costal margin
what is the border of the inferior thoracic aperture in the posterior aspect of our body?
T12 vertebra
- lowest thoracic vertebra
what 3 things are considered the circumferential border of the thorax?
- Sternum
- Ribs
- Intercostal muscles
Where is the mediastinum located?
In the thoracic cavity between the lungs
How do we divide the mediastinum?
Into superior and inferior portions
What is the inferior portion of the mediastinum further divided into?
anterior mediastinum
middle mediastinum
posterior mediastinum
What is responsible for dividing the superior and inferior mediastinum?
an imaginary plane at the sternal angle
