overview of the thorax

Question 1

what is the posterior border of the thorax

Answer 1

spine

Question 2

what is the anterior border of the thorax

Answer 2

sternum

Question 3

what is the inferior border of the thorax

Answer 3

respiratory diaphragm

Question 4

what is the superior border of the thorax

Answer 4

superior thoracic aperture (1st rib, sternum, vertebral column)

Question 5

what are the compartments of the thorax?

Answer 5

2 plural cavities, and 1 mediastinum

Question 6

what are the general contents of the thorax?

Answer 6

organs of respiratory and cardiovascular systems

Question 7

what are the components of the thoracic wall?

Answer 7

skin, subcutaneous tissue, ribs, intercostal muscles

Question 8

what is the function of the thoracic wall?

Answer 8

• protection
• respiration
• muscle attachments

Question 9

what are the three types of ribs?

Answer 9

• true (1-7)
• false (8-10)
• floating (11-12)

Question 10

what is unique of the connections of true ribs

Answer 10

direct cartilage attachment to to sternum for each rib

Question 11

what is unique of the connections of floating ribs

Answer 11

ribs indirectly connect to the sternum through the cartilage of the rib above them

Question 12

what is unique of the connections of false ribs

Answer 12

no attachment to the sternum

Question 13

describe the general structure of a rib

Answer 13

connects to the vertebra by the head of the rib, which elongates into the neck of the rib. The neck has a costal tubercle which connects with the transverse process of the vertebrae. the sharp angle is the costal angle which then becomes the body or shaft of the rib as it travels anteriorly

Question 14

what are the three joints of the thoracic cage

Answer 14

1. costovertebral
2. costotransverse
3. sternocostal

Question 15

what is the connection of the costcovertebral joint, what is its synovial classification

Answer 15

head of rib to vertebral body (plane/gliding joint)

Question 16

what is the connection of the costotransverse joint, what is its synovial classification

Answer 16

costal tubercle to transverse process of the vertebrae (plane/gliding joint)

Question 17

what is the connection of the sternocostal joint, what is its synovial classification

Answer 17

sternum to costal cartilage (plane/gliding)

Question 18

what are the direct tributaries of the thoracic duct

Answer 18

• 12 intercostal (4 lower, and 8 upper)
• posterior mediastinal

Question 19

what are the parietal lymph node groups in the thorax?

Answer 19

• intercostal
  -post mediastinal
• parasternal
• diaphramatic

Question 20

what are the visceral lymph node groups of the thorax

Answer 20

• paratracheal
• pulmonary
• bronchopulmonary
• tracheobronchial

Question 21

diaphramatic nodes drain into what?

Answer 21

parasternal -> L broncho mediastinal trunk -> thoracic duct

Question 22

what drains into the Left broncho mediastinal trunk

Answer 22

1. diaphramatic -> parasternal
2. all visceral ( paratracheal, pulmonary, bronchopulmonary, and tracheobronchial)

Question 23

what is the lymphatic structure in the abdomen

Answer 23

cisterna chyli at L2

Question 24

what three structures create the azygos vein

Answer 24

• R lumbar azygos
• R subcostal vein
• R ascending lumbar

Question 25

what creates the hemiazygos vein

Answer 25

- L lumbar azygos - L subcostal - L ascending lumbar

Question 26

how are the 2nd and 3rd Right posterior intercostals drained?

Answer 26

into the right superior intercostal vein -> azygos vein -> superior vena cava

Question 27

what is the name for intercostal nerves T1-6

Answer 27

upper intercostal nerves

Question 28

what is the name for intercostal nerves T7-T11

Answer 28

thoracoabdominal or lower intercostal nerves

Question 29

what is the name for intercostal nerve T12

Answer 29

subcostal nerve

Question 30

what is the innervation of the diaphragm muscle

Answer 30

phrenic nerve (R and L) C3-5

Question 31

what is the action of the diaphragm muscle?

Answer 31

inferior displacement during inspiration and relaxes up to superior position during exhalation

Question 32

what are the movements of the thoracic wall during inspiration

Answer 32

ribs elevate and move middle of shaft laterally

Question 33

what are the movements of the thoracic wall during expiration

Answer 33

ribs depress and move middle of shaft medially

Question 34

external intercostal muscles perform what action

Answer 34

elevation of ribs

Question 35

internal and innermost muscles produce what movements of the ribs

Answer 35

depression

Question 36

external intercostal muscles connect where ?

Answer 36

vertebral column and attach superior/lateral to inferior/medial

Question 37

internal and innermost intercostal muscles connect where ?

Answer 37

start at the ribs and connect superior/medial to inferior/lateral

Question 38

the neurovascular bundle in the thorax is located between what structures?

Answer 38

innermost intercostal muscle and internal intercostal muscle

Question 39

what is the action of transversus thoracis

Answer 39

depress the ribs

Question 40

what are the attachments of transversus thoracis

Answer 40

sternum to costal cartilage (internally)

Question 41

T4 innervation area

Answer 41

includes nipple (some sources will have this in T5)

Question 42

T6 innervation area

Answer 42

skin over xiphoid

Question 43

T10 innervation area

Answer 43

umbilicus

Question 44

radicular veins connect what structures

Answer 44

internal vertebral venous plexus with systemic veins along vertebral column