lecture 7 - thoracic wall

Question 1

What are the skin ligaments of the thoracic wall?

Answer 1

Fibrous bundles that attach the dermis to the deep fascia, and provide support, particularly over the breast

Question 2

What is the term for the skin ligaments found over the breast?

Answer 2

Suspensory/Cooper’s ligaments

Question 3

What do the posterior/anterior intercostal arteries supply?

Answer 3

Muscles, bone, subcutaneous tissue and skin of the thoracic wall

Question 4

What do the intercostal nerves supply?

Answer 4

Intercostal muscles, skin, parietal pleura

Question 5

What is the ‘triangle of safety’?

Answer 5

The area where a needle/catheter can be inserted into the pleural cavity without damaging surrounding structures - borders are lateral pectoralis major, anterior latissmus dorsi, 5th intercostal space

Question 6

What is the ‘fatty triangle’?

Answer 6

An area around the posterolateral shoulder girdle muscles (between trapezius, latissimus dorsi and the tip of the scapula) , where a thoracotomy can be safely performed