11. Thoracic Neurology Flashcards
Where are the four primary restriction points of the esophagus?
At the…
Cricopharyngeus muscle
Arch of the aorta
Left main bronchus
Passage of the esophagus through the diaphragm
What major nerve does the left recurrent laryngeal nerve come off of?
The left vagus nerve
What nerve contributes to the anterior vagal trunk?
Left vagus nerve
What nerve contributes to the posterior vagal trunk?
Right vagus nerve
What three cervical nerves supply the phrenic nerve?
C3, C4, C5
Where will you find the phrenic nerve near to the heart?
Almost “buried in the heart.”
Between the fibrous pericardium and the mediastinal parietal pleura
What are the atypical intercostal nerves?
1-2
7-11
What are the three major branches of the intercostal nerves?
Lateral cutaneous branches
Muscular branches
Anterior cutaneous branches
Why does the anterior ramus of the 1st thoracic spinal nerve make an atypical intercostal nerve?
Because most of the 1st thoracic spinal nerve joins with the brachial plexus.
Why is the second intercostal nerve atypical?
Because it makes a cutaneous branch that joins with “a brachial component” to make the intercostobrachial nerve
Why are intercostal nerves 7-11 atypical?
As they run around the ribs, they continue past the ribs and become thoracoabdominal nerves
Where is the lateral horn of the spinal cord found?
T1-L2
What do we call a presynaptic nerve fiber heading to a prevertebral ganglion?
A Splanchnic nerve
What are the five major divisions of the parasympathetic element of the vagus nerve in the thorax?
Superior cardiac branch
Middle cardiac branch
Inferior cardiac branch
Pulmonary branches
Esophageal branches
What are the sympathetic and parasympathetic contributions to the:
Pulmonary plexus
Sympathetic: Pulmonary splanchnic nerves
Parasympathetic: Pulmonary branch of the vagus nerve
