Semester 1 Flashcards
(284 cards)
Where is the thorax located?
Between the neck and abdomon
What does the thoracic skeleton consist of?
The sternum, ribs, costal cartilages and thoracic vertebrae
What is the main role of the thoracic skeleton?
It protects vital organs in chest and upper abdomen.
Contracts to assist inspiration.
What are the 2 main openings of the thorax?
The superior thoracic aperture found superiorly and the inferior thoracic aperture located inferiorly.
Which strucrures bound the superior thoracic aperture?
The bones of the upper thorax; manubrium of sternum, the first pair of ribs, and the body of the vertebra T1.
Which strucrures bound the inferior thoracic aperture?
Its almost completely bound by the diaphragm, separating it from the abdominal cavity.
Name some of the contents of the thorax?
- Heart
- Lungs
- Oesophagus
- Trachea
- main bronchi
- Thymus
- Vagus and phrenic nerves
- Sympathetic trunks and ganglia
- Thoracic duct
- Lymph nodes
- Major systemic and pulmonary vasculature
Name the 3 parts of the sternum
- Superior part is the manubrium
- The middle and largest part is the body
- The inferior, smallest part is the xiphoid process
What is the sternal angle?
Junction of the manubrium and body
What is the jugular notch?
The depression on the superior surface of the manubrium
Which substance directly attaches the true ribs to the sternum?
Costal cartilage.
What is the role of the costal cartilage?
The elasticity of the thoracic cage and prevent various blows to the chest from fracturing the sternum and/or ribs.
What are articulations formed between the true ribs and the sternum?
Sternocostal joints
What is the name for the ribs directly attached to the sternum (1-7)?
True ribs
What is the name for the ribs indirectly attached to the sternum (8-10)?
False ribs/vertebrochondral ribs
What is the name for the ribs not attached to the sternum (11-12)?
Floating ribs/vertebral ribs
What is the ‘head’ of the rib?
A projection at the posterior end of the rib that contains a pair of articular facets
What is the name of the joint whereby the ribs articulate with the vertebrae?
A vertebrocostal joint.
What is the neck of the rib?
Constricted portion of a rib just lateral to the head.
What is the neck of the rib?
Constricted portion of a rib just lateral to the head.
What is the tubercle of the rib?
A knoblike structure on the posterior surface, where the neck joins the body.
Define the lateral costotransverse ligament
The nonarticular part of the tubercle attaches to the transverse process of a vertebra
Define the costal angle
A short distance beyond the tubercle, an abrupt change in the curvature of the shaft occurs.
Define the costal groove
The inner surface of the rib that protects the intercostal blood vessels and a small nerve.