Radiology of the Respiratory System Flashcards
What are the bones of the thorax and their component parts anatomically?
The thorax consists of the following bones:
Sternum: A flat bone in the center of the chest composed of three parts:
Manubrium (upper part)
Body (middle part)
Xiphoid process (lower part).
Ribs: There are 12 pairs of ribs:
True ribs (1–7): Attach directly to the sternum via costal cartilage.
False ribs (8–10): Attach indirectly to the sternum via the costal cartilage of the ribs above.
Floating ribs (11–12): Do not attach to the sternum or other ribs.
Vertebrae: The thoracic spine consists of 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1–T12), each corresponding to a rib.
How are the bones of the thorax demonstrated radiologically?
X-ray or CT scan is typically used to visualize the bones of the thorax.
Sternum: Can be seen on lateral chest radiographs. In CT, it’s more clearly visualized in cross-sections.
Ribs: Appear as curved, bony structures extending from the vertebrae. Fractures or abnormalities are more visible on X-ray, especially in oblique views.
Vertebrae: Thoracic vertebrae are clearly seen on lateral X-rays, showing the curvature of the spine. On CT scans, the vertebral bodies are well-delineated.
Radiologically, how are the trachea, main bronchi, lungs, and their immediate anatomical relations demonstrated?
Trachea: On chest X-ray, the trachea is visible as a vertical structure in the midline of the chest. It should be centrally located in a normal radiograph, with no deviation to one side.
Main Bronchi: The right main bronchus is more vertical than the left, and they can be seen on CT scans or high-resolution X-rays. The right bronchus is usually seen more horizontally.
Lungs:
On X-ray, the lungs appear as radiolucent (dark) areas surrounding the heart and great vessels.
The costophrenic angles (where the diaphragm meets the ribs) should be sharp; blunting of these angles may indicate pleural effusion.
Lung markings (blood vessels and bronchi) can be observed in the peripheral lung fields.
Anatomical relations:
Heart: Located centrally, to the left of the trachea, and appears as a shadow in X-rays.
Diaphragm: Can be seen as a curved structure beneath the lungs, with its right side usually higher than the left due to liver position.
What are some relevant clinical anatomy features of the lung and pleura?
Lungs:
Pneumothorax (air in the pleural cavity) causes a collapsed lung. Radiologically, it appears as a dark area along the pleural surface without lung markings.
Pulmonary infections like pneumonia can appear as infiltrates or consolidations in the lung fields on X-ray.
Lung tumors: May appear as masses, often with irregular borders, on chest radiographs. CT scans offer better resolution for identifying the size, shape, and location of tumors.
Pleura:
Pleural effusion (fluid accumulation in the pleural space) shows up on X-ray as blunting of the costophrenic angles or as a meniscus-shaped opacity.
Pleuritis (inflammation of the pleura) may present with pleuritic chest pain and is often seen as localized pleural thickening on imaging.
Pleural adhesions (scar tissue in the pleura) can be observed on CT scans and may result from previous infections or surgery.
