Gross anatomy of the thorax Flashcards
what heart chamber forms the base of the heart
left atrium
what chamber mainly forms the anterior (sternocostal) surface
right ventricle
which thorax vertebrae does the base of the heart lie opposite to
T5 - T8
what forms the diaphragmatic surface of the heart
mainly the left ventricle and partly by the right ventricle
what separates the two ventricles
posterior interventricular groove
describe the location of the pericardium in relation to the sternum, costal cartilagesand thoracic vertebrae
- It lies posterior to body of sternum & 2-6 costal cartilages.
- It lies anterior to 5-8 thoracic vertebrae
what are the main blood supply and drainage of the pericardium
pericardiacophrenic arteries and veins
what is the nerve supply of the fibrous pericardium
phrenic nerve
what is the nerve supply of the visceral layer of serous pericardium
branches of the sympathetic trunk and vagus nerves
how does fetal circulation differ from the adult one
The fetal circulation differs mainly from the adult one by the presence of 3 major vascular shunts:
- Ductus venosus: between the umbilical vein and inferior vena cava.
- Foramen ovale: between the right and left atrium.
- Ductus arteriosus: between the pulmonary artery and arch of aorta.
how does Myocardial Ischaemia
occur and what are the two leading causes
Myocardial ischaemia occurs when the blood flow demands of the heart exceed the blood supplied by the coronary arteries.
The leading causes of myocardial ischaemia are:
- atherosclerosis
- blockage of coronary arteries due to the accumulation of lipid plaques and/or thrombus
in what direction do the fibres of the external intercostal muscle go
downward and forward
in which direction do the internal intercostal muscles go
downward and backward
what is the name of the nerve T12 and why is it called this
subcostal nerve because it arises below the ribs
serratus posterior superior: origin insertion innervation action
spinous processes of C7-T3
superior borders of 2nd-4th ribs
2nd-5th intercostal nerves
elevate ribs
serratus posterior inferior origin insertion innervation action
spinous processes of C7-L2 vertebrae
inferior borders of 8th-12th ribs near their angles
anterior rami to T9-T12 thoracic spinal nerves
depress ribs
levator costarum origin insertion innervation action
transverse processes of C7-T11
subjacent ribs between tubercle and angle
posterior primary rami of C8-T11 nerves
elevate ribs
external intercostal origin insertion innervation action
inferior border of ribs
superior border of ribs below
intercostal nerve
elevate ribs during forced inspiration
internal intercostal origin insertion innervation action
inferior border of ribs superior border of ribs below intercostal nerve interosseous part: depresses ribs interchondral part: elevates ribs
innermost intercostal origin insertion innervation action
inferior border of ribs superior border of ribs below intercostal nerve interosseous part: depresses ribs interchondral part: elevates ribs
subcostal muscle origin insertion innervation action
internal surface of lower ribs near their angles superior border of 2nd or 3rd ribs below intercostal nerve interosseous part: depresses ribs interchondral part: elevates ribs
transverses thoracis origin insertion innervation action
posterior surface of lower sternum
internal surface of costal cartilages 2-6
intercostal nerve
weakly depress ribs
what is the foramen ovale
The FORAMEN OVALE is a hole between the right and left atria, allowing blood to pass from the right side to the left and not ever get pumped to the lungs.
what is the ductus arteriosus
The DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS allows blood to skip past the lungs and join up with the partially oxygenated blood that is being pumped out of the left ventricle.
which ribs are the “floating ribs”
11 and 12
between which thoracic vertebrae is the sternum placed
from T2-T9
which ribs are the typical ribs
3rd to 9th
describe the location of the superior mediastinum
from inlet of thorax to plane extending from level of sternal angle anteriorly to lower border of T4 vertebra posterioly
what are the contents of the superior mediastinum
- Thymus
- Three veins:
> Left brachiocephelic v.
> Right brachiocephelic v.
> Superior vena cava
> arch of aorta and its three branches (brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery)
> phrenic nerve
> vagus nerve
> trachea
> oesophagus
> thoracic duct
> arch of azygos
> left superior intercostal vein
> left recurrent laryngeal nerve (branch of vagus)
describe the location of the anterior mediastinum
posterior to body of sternum and attached costal cartilages, anterior to heart and pericardium
what are the contents of the anterior mediastinum
- fat
- remnants of thymus gland,
- anterior mediastinal lymph nodes
describe the location of the middle mediastinum
between anterior mediastinum and posterior mediastinum
what are the contents of the middle mediastinum
- heart and pericardium
- beginning or termination of great vessels
- phrenic nerves
- pericardiacophrenic vessels
- lymph nodes
describe the location of the posterior mediastinum
posterior to heart and pericardium, anterior to vertebrae T5-T12
what are the contents of the posterior mediastinum
a) oesophagus
b) thoracic aorta
c) thoracic duct
d) azygos venous system
- Sympathetic trunks
- Thoracic splanchnic nerves