Module 1: The Thoracic Wall Flashcards
Diaphragm
Thin musculotendinous septum that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities
Diaphragm function
Respiration
Contracts and its dome flattens to increases volume in thoracic cavity
Features of the diaphragm
Right dome
Left dome
Central tendon
Right and left crus
Right dome
Rises to upper border of fifth rib
Left dome
Rises to lower border of fifth rib
Central tendon
Where the peripheral muscle fibres of diaphragm attach to inferior margin of thoracic cage and lumbar vertebrae
Right crus
Originates from anterolateral surface of upper 3 lumbar vertebrae
Left crus
Originates from anterolateral surface of upper 2 lumbar vertebrae
Apertures of the diaphragm
Caval opening
Esophageal hiatus
Aortic hiatus
Caval opening
In central tendon at T8
Opening for IVC
Esophageal hiatus
In right crus at T10
Opening for esophagus
Aortic hiatus
Btwn left and right crus, anterior to T12
Opening for abdominal aorta
External intercostals
Fibres run anteroinferiorly from lower border of rib
Elevate ribcage during inspiration
Internal/innermost intercostals
Fibres run posteroinferiorly from upper border of rib
Depress rib cage during expiration
Injury to intercostal muscles
Results from twisting and reaching upwards causing swelling, pain and muscle tightness
Manubriosterbal joint
Sternal angle or angle of Louis
In line w 4th and 5th vertebrae
Easily palpable forming a clinical landmark
Xiphoid process
Attaches to sternal body at xiphisternal joint
In line w T9
Intervertebral discs
Annulus fibrosus
Nucleus pulposus
Annulus fibrosus
Outer ring of disc made of fibrocartilage
Resists shear forces
Nucleus pulposus
Gelatinous structure that resists compressive forces
DDx: Herniated (slipped) disc
Results from bulging of nucleus pulposus through weak spots of the annulus fibrosus
Symptoms: localized back pain, numbness and weakness along lower thoracic cage
What happens to the intervertebral disc if the annulus fibrosus ruptures completely?
The protruding nucleus pulposus can compress contents of the intervertebral foramen (spinal nerves)
Possible injuries to ribs
Rib fracture
Bruising
Inflammation of costal cartilage
DDx: Fractured rib
Crack or break in ribs caused by a direct blow to the chest
**break in costal cartilage can be considered a rib fracture
Symptoms: injury to internal organs, localized chest and back pain, pain associated with inhalation/exhalation
Thoracic apertures
Thoracic inlet (superior)
Thoracic outlet (inferior)
Thoracic inlet
Formed by manubrium, rib 1, body of T1
Allow for passage btwn thorax and neck
Thoracic outlet
Formed by xiphoid process, costal margin, rib 11 and 12 and body of T12
Allows for passage btwn thorax and abdomen
DDx: Thoracic outlet syndrome
A conditon when blood vessels/nerves passing through the thoracic inlet are compressed causing pain in the neck and shoulders and numbness in fingers
Common causes of thoracic outlet syndrome
Physical trauma, repetitive injuries, anatomical defects, pregnancy
Internal thoracic arteries
Paired (right and left) arteries that run on either side of sternum and supply the anterior thoracic wall
Where do anterior intercostal arteries arise from and travel?
Arise from internal thoracic arteries
Travel in costal grooves of ribs and anastomose with posterior intercostal arteries
Posterior intercostal arteries
Branch of thoracic aorta
Travel anteriorly to anastomose w anterior intercostal arteries
Subcostal arteries
12th pair in intercostal space
Run inferior to costal margin
Veins of thoracic region
Anterior and posterior intercostal veins, subcostal veins
Drain deoxygenated blood into heart
Inferior vena cava
Principal vessel draining lower body
Travels through caval opening at T8
Hemothorax
Accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity due to damage to intercostal artery
Thoracic spinal nerves
Rami and branches
Rami of thoracic spinal nerves
After exiting the intervertebral foramen each thoracic spinal nerve divides into a dorsal (posterior) ramus and a ventral (anterior) ramus
Ventral rami
Intercostal nerves
Run in costal grooves of corresponding ribs
Dorsal rami
Supply deep muscles of back and skin
Branches of thoracic spinal nerves
Cutaneous branches
Muscular branches to intercostal and anterolateral muscles
Cutaneous (sensory) branches
Branch from intercostal nerves
Lateral cutaneous branch and anterior cutaneous branch
Intercostal nerves 1-6
Innervate intercostal muscles of the thoracic wall and overlying skin
Intercostal nerves 7-12 (and subcostal nerve T12)
Supply abdominal muscles and overlying skin
Phrenic nerves
Left and right
Formed by union of C3, C4, C5
Motor innervation to diaphragm, sensory innervation to central tendon
Internal structures of the breast
- Lobes
- Suspensory ligaments
- Lactiferous ducts
Lobes of the breast
Each breast divided into 15-20 lobes that contain mammary glands
Suspensory ligaments of Cooper
Separate lobes and support breast
DDx: Mammary duct ectasia
Condition in which lactiferous ducts widens causing duct walls to thicken leading to nipple discharge, breast tenderness and breast lumps
Symptoms: can be asymptomatic
**more common in perimenopausal women
DDx: Torn pectoralis muscle
Can occur due to the placement of an implant during breast augmentation surgery
Symptoms: localized swelling at breast, weakness, reduced range of motion of shoulder