Anatomy of the thorax

Question 1

What is the name of the 11th and 12th ribs in the chest?

Answer 1

Floating ribs

Question 2

what is the type of joints that joins the rib with its anterior articulation?

Answer 2

CC1 = Primary cartilaginous (hyaline) joint
the rest = articulate with costal cartilage via Primary cartilaginous joint which in turn articulates with the sternum via synovial joint to allow movement

Question 3

Which are ribs are true ribs and which are false and why?

Answer 3

1-7 = true ribs - directly articulate with the sternum via costal cartilage
8-10 = false ribs - articulate with costal cartilage anteriorly forming costal margin which connects with the sternum

Question 4

A. During chest drainage, which structure is it important to avoid.

B. Where in relation to the ribs is this structure found? And in which part of the rib is it found.

Answer 4

A. Intercostal neurovascular bundle

B. Found at the lower edge of the rib in the costal groove

Question 5

What is the significance of anastomosis formed by the anterior and posterior intercostal arteries?

Answer 5

it forms collateral circulation in the event of coarctation of the aorta

Question 6

Trace back the origin of the posterior intercostal arteries naming the different arterial structures.

Answer 6

Posterior intercostal arteries –> aorta (so it stems straight from the descending aorta)

Question 7

Describe the venous drainage of the intercostal spaces.

Answer 7

• Via venae comitantes of the anterior and posterior intercostal arteries
• Anterior venous comitantes into internal thoracic vein
• Posteriorly into the Azygos system
  o The Azygos vein on the right
  o The hemi-azygos vein on the left

Question 8

Which parts of the thorax area drains into the axially nodes?

Answer 8

The more superficial structure such as the skin, the breast, and the superficial muscles, so will turmours that will erode superficial tissue.

Question 9

A. What are the 4 structures that form the intervertebral foreman?

B. What structure goes through the intervertebral foreman?

C. What are the risks associated with the structure named in B going through the intervertebral foreman?

Answer 9

Pedicle, vertebral body, intervertebral disc, and the facet joint.

The spinal (intercostal) nerves

Compression of nerve by disc prolapse, fracture or arthritis, and;

Spinal (intercostal) Nerve pain due to osteoporotic fractures (collapse) of the vertebral body or facet joint arthiritis

Question 10

What structures are involved in the

A)	Anterior surface of the heart?
B)	Posterior
C)	Inferior
Borders
D)	Right
E)	Left
F)	Apex

Answer 10

A)	Right ventricle, right atrium and left ventricle
B)	Left atrium
C)	Right and left ventricles
D)	Right atrium
E)	Left ventricle
F)	Right and left ventricles