Lecture 11: Thoracic Neurology Flashcards
What are the four constriction points in the esophagus?
1) Cricopharyngeus Muscle
2) Arch of aorta
3) Left main bronchus
4) Esophageal Hiatus
Is the vagus nerve sympathetic or parasympathetic when it comes to structures in the thorax?
Parasympathetic
How do left and right recurrent laryngeal nerves differ?
Right comes of Vagus nerve in the neck
Left comes of Vagus nerve in the thorax and loops around arch of aorta
The Right Vagus Nerve becomes the _____ vagal trunk.
Posterior vagal trunk
The Left Vagus Nerve becomes the _____ vagal trunk.
Anterior vagal trunk
Where is the phrenic nerve found?
Between mediastinal parietal pleura and fibrous pericardium
What is an intercostal nerve?
Anterior ramus of thoracic spinal nerve
-travels along inferior edge of rib
What are atypical intercostal nerves?
Nerves 1-2, 7-11
What are typical intercostal nerves?
Nerves 3-6
How do intercostal nerves communicate with the thoracic sympathetic trunk?
Via rami communicantes
Where are presynaptic sympathetic cells found?
Lateral horn of spinal cord
How does synaptic innervation to viscera in the thorax happen?
1) Presynaptic fiber enters paravertebral ganglion via anterior root and ramus.
2) Can either travel up or down, but will synapse in paravertebral ganglion.
3) Travels to target
- travels as splanchnic nerve
How does synaptic innervation to viscera in the abdomen happen?
1) Presynaptic fiber enters prevertebral ganglion via anterior root and ramus.
- travels splanchnic nerve
2) Synapse in prevertebral ganglion
3) Travels to target
How does synaptic innervation to smooth muscles, skin, and sweat glands in the thorax?
1) Presynaptic fiber enters paravertebral ganglion
2) Synapse in paravertebral ganglion
3) Exits via gray ramus communicans
What does phrenic nerve do?
1) Innervation of diaphragm
2) Sensory fibers to the fibrous pericardium, mediastinal pleura, and diaphragmatic peritoneum.
