Respiratory Mechanics of the Ribs and Diaphragm Flashcards
What attaches to the diaphragm?
Attachments:
Lower Six Ribs bilaterally
Xiphoid process
Crura: L1-3 Left, L1-2 Right
What are the apertures of the diaphragm? What cord levels do they happen at?
Apertures:
Inferior Vena Cava at T8
Esophagus at T10
Aorta at T12
What pumps the most of the bodily fluid volume?
Diaphragm + striated muscles of body pump 75% of entire body fluid volume
How does the diaphragm effect venous return to the heart?
Increased negative intrathoracic pressure caused by diaphragm contraction promotes venous return to the heart via a “suction” mechanism
What loops around the esophageal hiatus?
Crura loops esophageal hiatus = muscle fibers surround esophagus
How is the aorta affected by the diaphragm?
Not very much:
Aorta is invested in fascia & is a thick-walled structure
What happens to the diaphragm with inhalation?
Contracts into abdomen
What happens to the apertures in the diaphragm with inhalation?
Apertures
Vena caval opening dilates - “heart of the venous system”
Esophageal hiatus contracts
Aorta remains unchanged
What happens to the diaphragm with exhalation?
Superior pull through passive recoil
What are some SD correlations with the diaphragm?
Lung efficacy
Body fluid movement (LYMPHATICS!!!)
What part of the diaphragm cycle ‘helps’ with gastric acid reflux? Why?
Inhalation
- esophageal hiatus contracts, due to being looped by crura
- prevents gastric acid reflux
- GERD can possibly be helped by increasing diaphragmatic tone
What innervates the diaphragm? What cord levels?
C3, 4, 5: keep the diaphragm alive
phrenic nerves
What distal SD can affect diaphragmatic tone?
SD of cervical spine, especially at levels C3, C4, and C5
What is the lowest rib you’re likely to palpate?
rib 10
What should you look for as a superior landmark for rib palpation?
Angle of Louis - rib 2
What is close to the rib heads?
SNS ganglion chain - VERY important
What can affect sympathetic tone?
rib dysfunctions
What can affect sympathetic input to the viscera?
Treating rib SD
Where does the rib neurovascular bundle travel?
Rib neurovascular bundle travels in an inferior groove (V-A-N superior-to-inferior)
Could placement of a chest tube cause dysfunction? Where?
Yes, by affecting intercostals
Chest tubes are inserted just over the superior aspect of a rib
4th or 5th ICS @ either the anterior axillary or mid-axillary line
Aka between ribs 4-5 or 5-6
What is the structure of a typical rib?
Structure:
Round, knob-like rib head followed by neck & tubercle
A body that arcs @ rib angle & is thin/flat making internal/external surfaces
Distal concavity where cartilage attaches
What are the rib head facets? What vertebrae does it articulate with, generally?
2 facets for articulation w/ body of next superior vertebral body & same number vertebrae
What are the costotransverse articulations of the ribs? What do the articulate with?
Costotransverse Articulations
Each tubercle articulates w/ transverse process of same # vertebrae via a facet
What are the typical ribs? What numbers are they? How many facets do the rib head attach to?
Typical: #3-9
Similar in structure
Each rib head to 2 facets
Costotransverse articulation
What are the atypical ribs? What numbers are they?
Atypical: #1, 2, 10, 11, 12
Describe rib 1. How many articulations does it have?
1 – most curved, flat, no angle or groove, single facet with vertebral body
Describe rib 2. What kind of facets does it have? What is its structure like?
2 – demifacets with T1 & T2 bodies, structure similar to #1