Anatomy Of the thorax and circulation Flashcards
What anatomical structures lie behind the sternal angle?
RAT PLANT
Rib 2 Aortic arch Tracheal bifurcation Pulmonary trunk Ligamentum arteriosum Azygos vein Nerves (vagus and sympathetic trunk) Thoracic duct
Where is the Suprasternal (suprajugular) notch?
Superior border of manubrium
Where is the Sternal angle/ Angle of Louis?
Manubriosternal joint (between the manubrium & body of the sternum)
Anterior axillary line
Runs through the lateral quarter point of the clavicle
Sternal line (border)
Lateral margin of sternum
Parasternal line
Between sternal and mid-clavicular lines
Mid-clavicular line
Runs through the mid-point of the clavicle
Midline
Runs centrally down the sternum
Posterior axillary line
Posterior axillary fold
Mid-axillary line
Runs at the mid-point between the anterior & posterior axillary lines
Structures of mediastinum
Superior- above the heart
Inferior - anterior in front of the pericardium
Inferior - middle containing pericardium
Inferior - posterior behind pericardium
Superior mediastinum
Thymus Great vessels Trachea Esophagus Thoracic duct
Structures in middle inferior mediastinum
Heart
Pericardium
Roots of great vessels
Structures in posterior inferior mediastinum
Thoracic aorta
Thoracic duct
Azygous venous system
Thin walled and contain valves
Veins
Thick walled
No valves
Contain baroreceptors & chemoreceptors
Arteries
Layers of blood vessels
Tunica intima
Tunica media
Tunica esterna/Adventia
Tunica intima
INNERMOST layer
Lined by endothelium comprised of simple squamous epithelial cells
Basement membrane and subendothelial connective tissue support overlying cells
Tunica media
INTERMEDIATE , smooth muscular layer
Contain alpha and beta adrenergic receptors, allowing for sympathetic regulation of blood pressure
Tunica externa/adventitia
OUTERMOST layer
Anchors vessels to organs Comprised of type 1 collagen, and elastic connective tissue (in arteries)
Types of arteries
Elastic artery
Muscular artery
Arterioles
Elastic artery
Aorta, pulmonary trunk
Thick tunica media with abundance of elastic fibres
Contain 2 additional layers : internal and external elastic laminae
Muscular artery
Gastro-epiploic artery
More smooth muscle & fewer elastic fibres within intima layer
Most abundant arterial vessel
Arterioles
Vasa recta or large intestines
Smallest division of arterial network
Thin tunica interna
Far fewer muscle fibres
What are Capillaries?
- Smallest vascular structures in the body
- Deliver blood to tissues
• No tunica media or
externa: single layer endothelium plus basement membrane
• Grouped based on the arrangement of the endothelium along the vessel walls
Vessel walls types of capillaries
- Fenestrated
- Continuous
- Discontinuous
Fenestrated capillaries
Capillary beds are perforated along the endothelial cells