Thorax Exam stufffff Flashcards
(22 cards)
During the initial visual inspection of the thorax, what are the 3 lines you’re looking at from the anterior
-midsternal
-mid clavicular
-anterior axillary
During the initial visual inspection of the thorax, what are the 3 lines you’re looking at from the side
-Anterior axillary
-mid-axillary
-posterior axillary
where is the apex of the lung located anteriorly
2-4 cm above the medial 1/3 of the clavicle
where does the trachea bifurcate into bronchi
anterior: angle of Louis
posterior: T4/5 vertebrae
what are the 2 types of pleura? what do they line?
visceral –> overlies the lungs
parietal –> lines the chest wall
what is the space b/w the pleura called
pleural cavity
where is the mediastinum? what does it contain?
b/w the lungs
-contains all the thoracic viscera except the lungs
which part of the brain controls breathing?
the brainstem –> pons and medulla
what are the muscles involved in breathing?
-diaphragm
-external + internal intercostals
-SCM
-traps
what is tital volume?
-normal air exchange during inspiration and expiration
-about 500mL for adult male
what is the vital capacity
-max amount of air a person can expel from the lungs
-done after one round of max inhale + max exhale
-about 4600 mL
What are the main history questions we should ask?
-dyspnea
-smoking
-home heating
-asthma
-p! in chest
-work environment
-travel
-exercise
what aspects of the family history should we ask about?
-TB
-cystic fibrosis
-emphysema
-malignancy
-bronchitis
what are the common causes of dyspnea?
-left-sided heart failure
-asthma
-chronic bronchitis
-pulmonary emphysema
-spontaneous pneumothorax
-anxiety w/ hyperventilation
-cocaine
what are you looking for during the inspection portion of the exam?
-swellings
-lesions
-supernumerary nipples
-scoliosis
-muscle guarding
-superfical venous patterns on ant. chest
what is the normal breathing rate
12-20 breaths/min
what are you looking for when checking a patient’s breathing
-rate
-rhythm
-depth
-effort
what is the normal visual structure (dimenstions) for the thorax
lateral diameter is wider then A/P diameter
what is a barrel chest appearance
-increased a/p diameter
-usually caused by COPD, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis
what is a flail chest appearance
3 ribs in a row are broken AND are broken in 2 parallel lines
what is a funnel appearance (pectus excavtum)
-congenital –> cartilage grows abnormally and connects to ribs –> causing the sternum to sink in
what is a pigeon chest appearance (pectus carinatum)
-congenital –> sternum protrudes outward
-sometimes associated with Marfan’s syndrome
