Thoracic Wall: Osteology and Ventilatory Movements

Question 1

What is the superior thoracic aperture?

Answer 1

The hole where structures leave and enter the thoracic cavity

Question 2

Boundaries of the superior thoracic aperture

Answer 2

Posterior: T1 vertebrae
Lateral: first pair of ribs + their costal cartilages
Anterior: superior border of the manubrium

Question 3

What separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities?

Answer 3

The diaphragm

Question 4

Boundaries of the inferior thoracic aperture

Answer 4

Posterior: T12 vertebra
Posterolaterally: 11th+12th pair of ribs
Anterolaterally: joined costal cartilages of ribs 7 - 10
Anterior: xiphisternal joint

Question 5

3 types of ribs

Answer 5

True (vertebrosternal) 1 -7
False (vertebrochondral) 8-10
Floating (free) 11-12

Question 6

What is kyphosis?

Answer 6

The curvature of vertebral column

Question 7

As you move inferiorly the vertebral bodies.. In size

Answer 7

Increase

Question 8

What ribs are atypical?

Answer 8

1, 2 - 10-12

Question 9

Features of 1st rib

Answer 9

It is flat, has a scalene tubercle and grooves for subclavian vessels
Only one facet on head

Question 10

Features of 2nd rib

Answer 10

Has a rough tuberosity for attachment of serratus anterior

Question 11

Features of 10th rib

Answer 11

One facet on head

Question 12

Features of 11th + 12th ribs

Answer 12

One facet on head and no neck or tubercle

Question 13

What is the subcostal nerve?

Answer 13

The anterior ramus of spinal nerve T12

Question 14

Characteristics of typical thoracic vertebrae

Answer 14

1) The bodies have bilateral superior and interior costal facets
2) The transverse processes have bilateral costal facets
5) They have long inferiorly slanted spinous processes

Question 15

What ligaments reinforce the costovertebral joints

Answer 15

Intertransverse ligament
Superior costotransverse ligament
Radiate ligaments

Question 16

What is the costochondral joint
And what type of joint is it

Answer 16

Articulation between lateral end of costal cartilage
and sternal end of rib
Primary cartilaginous joint

Question 17

What is an intervertebral joint?

Answer 17

Adjacent vertebral bodies bound together by intervertebral disc
Symphysis

Question 18

What is a costovertebral joint? And what type of joint is it?

Answer 18

Articulation between head of rib + costal facet of corresponding vertebral body + costal facet of superior vertebral body
Synovial plane joint

Question 19

What is a costotransverse joint? And what type of joint is it?

Answer 19

Articulation of tubercle of rib with transverse process of corresponding vertebra
Synovial plane joint

Question 20

What is the 1st sternocostal joint ? And what type of joint is it

Answer 20

Articulation of 1st costal cartilage and manubrium
Primary cartilaginous

Question 21

What are the 2nd - 7th sternocostal joints? And what type of joint are they?

Answer 21

Articulations of 2nd- 7th costal cartilages with sternum
Synovial plane

Question 22

What is the sternoclavicular joint? And what type of joint is it

Answer 22

Articulation between sternal end of clavicle and manubrium and first costal cartilage
Saddle shaped synovial

Question 23

What is an interchondral joint?

Answer 23

Articulation between costal cartilages 6+7 7+8 and 8+9

Question 24

What is a manubriosternal joint and what type of joint is it?

Answer 24

Articulation between manubrium + body of sternum
Symphysis

Question 25

What is the xiphisternal joint? And what type of joint is it?

Answer 25

Articulation between xiphoid process + body of sternum Primary cartilaginous

Question 26

What happens to thoracic wall during inspiration?

Answer 26

Ribs move upwards and outwards (like bucket handle lifting) Sternum moves forwards (like pump handle lifting) Diaphragm lowers

Question 27

What happens to thoracic wall during expiration?

Answer 27

Ribs move downwards and inwards Sternum moves back Diaphragm rises