Anatomy of Chest and Respiratory Tree

Question 1

What are the 3 major compartments of the thoracic cavity

Answer 1

Left and Right Pleural Cavities, each surrounding a lung

The Mediastinum

Question 2

What does the Superior Thoracic Aperture consist of

Answer 2

Body of the T1 vertebra posteriorly
Medial margin of rib 1 on each side
The manubrium of the sternum anteriorly

Question 3

What forms the margins of the Inferior Thoracic Aperture

Answer 3

Bone
Cartilage
Ligaments

Question 4

What is the mediastinum and where does it extend from anteriorly to posteriorly

Answer 4

A thick midline partition that extends from the sternum anteriorly to the thoracic vertebra posteriorly.

Question 5

What separates the mediastinum into superior and inferior parts

Answer 5

A horizontal plane passing through the sternal angle and the intervertebral disc between vertebrae TIV and TV

Question 6

What is the inferior mediastinum divided into

Answer 6

Pericardium that encloses the pericardial cavity surrounding the heart

Question 7

What makes up the middle mediastinum

Answer 7

The pericardium and the heart

Question 8

Where does the anterior mediastinum lie

Answer 8

Between the sternum and pericardium

Question 9

Where does the posterior mediastinum lie

Answer 9

Between the pericardium and vertebrae

Question 10

How does each lung remain attached to the mediastinum

Answer 10

By a root formed by the airway, pulmonary blood vessels, lymphatic tissues and nerves.

Question 11

Where are the parietal and visceral plerua

Answer 11

Parietal is the outer lining of the cavity

Visceral is lining the surfaces of the lungs

Question 12

What is found posterior to the thoracic wall

Answer 12

The 12 thoracic vertebrae and their intervening intervertebral discs.

Question 13

What is found lateral to the thoracic wall

Answer 13

Wall is made of ribs, 12 on each side.

3 layers of flat muscles that span the intercostal spaces between ribs.

Question 14

What do the 3 layers of flat muscles between the intercostal spaces do

Answer 14

Move the ribs and provide support

Question 15

What is found anterior to the thoracic wall

Answer 15

Wall is made of sternum

Question 16

What is the sternum made up of

Answer 16

The manubrium of the sternum, body of the sternum and xiphoid process.

Question 17

Which ribs have 3 articulations with the vertebral column

Answer 17

Rib II - IX

Question 18

What does each rib articulate with, in the vertebra

Answer 18

The head of each rib articulates with the body of its own vertebra and the body of the vertebra above. As these ribs curve posteriorly, each also articulates with the transverse process of its vertebra

Question 19

Which part of which ribs articulate with the sternum

Answer 19

The costal cartilages of ribs I to VII articulate with the sternum.

Question 20

What do the costal cartilages of ribs VIII to X articulate with.

Answer 20

The costal cartilages of ribs VIII to X articulate with the inferior margins of the costal cartilages above them.

Question 21

Why are ribs XI and XII known as floating ribs

Answer 21

Their costal cartilages are small and only cover their tips and don’t articulate with other ribs, costal cartilages or the sternum.

Question 22

What are the main 3 components of the posterior end of a rib

Answer 22

Head, neck and tubercle

Question 23

Describe the head of the rib and its surfaces

Answer 23

Has 2 articular surfaces separated by a crest. The smaller superior surface articulates with the inferior costal facet on the body of the vertebra above.
Larger inferior facet articulates with the superior costal facet of its own vertebra.

Question 24

Describe the neck of a rib

Answer 24

Short flat region of bone that separates the head from the tubercle.

Question 25

Describe the tubercle

Answer 25

Tubercle projects posteriorly from the junction of the neck and the shaft and consists of the articular and non-articular region.

Question 26

Describe the superior and inferior margin of the of the ribs

Answer 26

Superior = smooth and rounded
Inferior = sharp

Question 27

What is the angle of the ribs

Answer 27

The site just lateral to the tubercle where the shaft bends

Question 28

What is the costal groove

Answer 28

This is the groove on the internal surface of the inferior margin

Question 29

What lies in the costal groove along the inferior margin of the superior rib

Answer 29

Intercostal nerves and associated major arteries and veins. These pass in the plane between the 2 inner layers of muscles

Question 30

What cavity surrounds the lungs

Answer 30

right and left pleural cavity

Question 31

What does the base of the lungs sit on

Answer 31

The diaphragm

Question 32

What structures pass through the hilum

Answer 32

A pulmonary artery, two pulmonary veins, a main bronchus, bronchial vessels, nerves and lymphatics

Question 33

Why is the right lung normally a little larger

Answer 33

The middle mediastinum, containing the heart, bulges more to the left than to the right

Question 34

What is the root of the lungs

Answer 34

A short tubular collection of structures that attach the lung to structures in the mediastinum.

Question 35

What is the sleeve that covers the root

Answer 35

The mediastinal pleura that reflects onto the surface of the lung as visceral pleura

Question 36

Why is the right bronchus more likely to receive inhale foreign bodies

Answer 36

It is wider and makes a smaller angle with the trachea.

Question 37

What structures are found in the conducting airways

Answer 37

Trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Terminal bronchioles

Question 38

What structures are found in the respiratory airways

Answer 38

Respiratory bronchioles
Alveolar ducts
Alveolar sacs