The Thoracic Wall Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the arrangement of the ribs.

A

Ribs 1-7 are true ribs - their costal cartilages articulate directly with the sternum Ribs 8-10 are false ribs
- their costal cartilages join onto the costal cartilages of the ribs above them before joining the sternum Ribs 11 + 12 are floating ribs - they have costal cartilage but it doesn’t articulate with anything. There is not connection with the sternum.

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2
Q

What do the ribs articulate with?

A

The costal cartilage anteriorly and the vertebral column via the head and tubercle of the rib

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3
Q

Where does the first rib attach medially?

A

Manubrium - just inferior to the sternoclavicular joint

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4
Q

Which rib articulates with the sternum at the sternal angle?

A

Rib 2

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5
Q

What defines the thoracic inlet (superior thoracic aperture)?

A

1st rib and costal cartilage, 1st thoracic vertebra (T1) and the manubrium

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6
Q

Describe the structure of the diaphragm.

A

The diaphragm has a central tendon and it is attached to the costal margin and vertebrae.

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7
Q

What is the role of the intercostal muscles?

A

They stiffen the chest wall to improve the efficiency of breathing movements.

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8
Q

How are the intercostal muscles arranged? State the directions of the muscle fibres.

A

External intercostal - inferomedially (like hands in pockets) - at the costo-chondrial junction it is replaced by an anterior intercostal membrane Internal Intercostal - perpendicular to the external intercostals - replaced by a posterior intercostal membrane posteriorly Innermost intercostal

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9
Q

How many intercostal nerves are there?

A

11 pairs (T1 - T11) and a subcostal nerve (T12) They involve a mix of motor and sensory nerves and supply the intercostal spaces

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10
Q

Describe the branching of intercostal nerves.

A

There is a lateral cutaneous branch (which splits into an anterior branch and a posterior branch) There is an anterior cutaneous branch (which splits into a medial branch and a lateral branch)

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11
Q

Where are the intercostal neurovascular bundles found?

A

Internal intercostal and innermost intercostal Just below the bottom edge of a rib

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12
Q

What implications does this have for putting a needle or chest drain through the thoracic wall?

A

As the neurovascular bundle is just below the bottom edge of a rib,you would want to insert the needle just above the superior edge ofa rib to avoid piercing the neurovascular bundle

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13
Q

What are the borders for the safe area for inserting a chest drain?

A

Anterior border of the latissimus dorsi Lateral border of pectoralis major A line superior to the horizontal level of the nipple Apex below the axilla In general - 4th intercostal space, anterior to the mid-axillary line

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14
Q

What major artery do the intercostal arteries anastomose with?

A

Internal thoracic

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15
Q

What do the internal thoracic arteries branch from?

A

Right and left subclavian arteries

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