Net Anatomy: Thorax - Intro & Respiratory Flashcards
Name upper margin of thoracic cavity and its landmarks
Superior thoracic aperture (syn. thoracic outlet); Extends from top of sternum anteriorly to top of T1 vertebra posteriorly, and first pair of ribs complete its boundaries laterally
Horizontal plane function and its landmarks
(Aka transverse thoracic plane) Divides mediastinum into superior and inferior compartments; From sternal angle to intervertebral disc between T4-T5
Costodiaphragmatic recesses
Regions of very narrow left and right pleural cavities between ribs and diaphgram into which inferior aspects of lungs expand during inspiration
Rib forming most superior costal margin
7th rib (i.e., last true rib)
Compare lung sizes
Left lung slightly smaller due to fact that 2/3 of heart lies to left of midline
Name fissures of right lung & describe their paths
(1) Oblique fissure descends from posterior to anterior aspect of lung (2) Horizontal fissure intersects oblique fissure on lateral aspect of lungs and projects anteriorly
Name lobes of right lung
(1) Upper (Superior) (2) Middle (Intermediate) (3) Lower (Inferior)
How superior does the apex of the lung extend
Beyond superior thoracic aperture (i.e., 1st rib and top of sternum) to about 2-4 cm above medial third of clavicle (i.e., root of neck)
Name major structures encountered as move inferiorly along hilum of right lung
(1) Right Main Bronchus (2) Right Pulmonary artery (3) 2 Right Pulmonary veins; Also, bronchopulmonary lymph nodes should be seen
Paravertebral gutters
Curvatures in thoracic wall immediately adjacent to vertebral column; within them reside posteromedial curvatures of lung
How many fissures/lobes does the left lung have? Name them.
Oblique fissure separates upper and lower lung lobes
What is pulmonary ligament, and what function(s) does it serve?
Continuity of parietal and visceral pleurae extend inferiorly from hilum as pulmonary ligament; NOT a ligament in the classical sense but rather an extended area of pleural continuity; Provides “slack” in the pleura that accommodates changes in lung volume during respiration; Must be cut in order to remove lung from thoracic cavity
Which lung and which aspect of it has the cardiac impression
Cardiac notch, deviation in anterior border that accommodates the heart
Name structures anterior versus posterior to trachea
Cartilaginous rings anterior to trachea (cartilaginous rings cause curved trachea to be anteriorly and laterally); Trachealis muscle posterior to trachea
Orientation of esophagus versus trachea
Trachea immediately anterior to esophagus
