RS4 Thoracic wall quiz

Question 1

With what does the tubercle of the rib articulate?

Answer 1

The costotransverse facet on the transverse process of the thoracic vertebra

Question 2

With what does the head of the rib articulate?

Answer 2

The articular demifacet of the thoracic vertebra above and the thoracic vertebra of the same number

Question 3

What types of joint are formed at the tubercle and head of the rib?

Answer 3

Synovial joint

Question 4

What distinguishing feature characterises a cervical vertebrae?

Answer 4

Fo. transversarium

Question 5

What structure does the fo. transversarium transmit?

Answer 5

Vertebral artery and vein

Question 6

Which ribs lack a tubercle and why?

Answer 6

Ribs 11 and 12 because the same numbered vertebrae lack a costotransverse facet

Question 7

What structure other than the costotransverse facet attaches to the tubercle?

Answer 7

The lateral costotransverse ligament

Question 8

What structures are located at the costal groove?

Answer 8

Intercostal vein, posterior intercostal artery and intercostal nerve (in that order from superior to inferior)

Question 9

Between which muscle layers are the intercostal vein, posterior intercostal artery and intercostal nerve located?

Answer 9

Internal intercostal and innermost muscle layers

Question 10

What is the clavicular notch?

Answer 10

A notch on the manubrium sterni that articulates with the sternal end of the clavicle

Question 11

What do the intercostal nerves supply? (7)

Answer 11

Innervate the external, internal and innermost intercostal muscles. The skin overlying the same intercostal space.
Branches to the pleura.
The lower 6 nerves send branches back to the peritoneum and the muscles of the abdominal wall.

Question 12

What is the source of the preganglionic axons that terminate in the sympathetic ganglion of the sympathetic trunk?

Answer 12

The thoracic spinal cord via the white rami communicantes

Question 13

What structures within the thorax are innervated by the postganglionic axons that originate forms he sympathetic ganglion of the sympathetic trunk? (3)

Answer 13

Vasoconstrictors to the smooth muscle of the blood vessels in the intercostal spaces. To sweat glands of the skin. To muscles within the hair follicles that attach to the hairs themselves.

Question 14

What are the attachments of the internal intercostal muscles?

Answer 14

Attached form he inferior borders of the rib above to the superior border of the rib below within an intercostal space.
From the tubercle of the rib to the costochondral junction, where the muscle is replaces by an anterior intercostal membrane.

Question 15

What are the branches of a typical thoracic spinal nerve? (6)

Answer 15

Lateral and anterior cutaneous branches to the skin overlying that intercostal space.
A collateral branch supplying intercostal muscles.
Several other unnamed branches to the intercostal muscles.
Pleural and peritoneal branches
Articular branches to the joints of the ribs.

Question 16

Of what structure are the posterior intercostal arteries branches?

Answer 16

The posterior intercostal arteries of the lower 9 spaces are branches of the thoracic aorta.
Upper 2 spaces - costocervical trunk (branch of the 2nd part of the subclavian artery)

Question 17

What do the posterior intercostal arteries supply?

Answer 17

The posterior portion of the corresponding intercostal space

Question 18

Of what structures are the anterior intercostal arteries branches?

Answer 18

Anterior intercostal arteiras of the upper 6 spaces are branches of the internal thoracic artery (branch of the subclavian).
Of the lower 5 spaces - branches of the musculophrenic artery (branch of the internal thoracic artery)

Question 19

What structures pass through the thoracic inlet?

Answer 19

trachea, oesophagus, carotid and subclavian arteries, internal jugular and brachial veins, vagus and phrenic nerve