The Thoracic wall, lungs and middle mediastinum Flashcards
what are the functions of the thorax?
- breathing (all of the tissues, mm., nn., aa., must be flexible to allow for movement)
- Protection (of the lungs, heart as well as superior abdominal organs like the liver)
- conduit for the esophagus, trachea and aorta
How is the thorax broken up?
2 pleural cavities (for each lung) and a central mediastinum cavity
the central mediastinum is broken into a superior portion (above the sternal angle) and an inferior portion. The inferior portion is broken into a anterior (small), middle (for the heart) and posterior mediastinum
the aortic arch is in what portion of the thorax?
the superior mediastinum
where is the sternal angle?
is between the attachment of the 2nd rib and the 4 and 5th vertebral body
explain the shape of the thorax
cylindrical with the apex going down into a large base
the inferior appature follows the curvature of the rib cage and (anterior is more superior) and the superior appature is much smaller with TI, first rib and costal cartilage, and manubrium as its boundary)
where can you take pulmonary and cardiac ascultations?
at the sternal angle
what are the bones of the thoracic cavity?
T1-12 vertebrae
12 ribs
sternum
parts of the sternum
manubrium, body and xiphoid process
manubrium
contains clavicular notch for sternoclavicular joint (for SCM) and jugular notch that you can palpate
body of the sternum
joins the manubrium at the sternal angle (demifacets for the 2nd rib here)
Xiphoid process of the sternum
lowest point of the sternum
**joint ossifies (no flexibility)
parts of the rib
head, tubercle, body (angle of the rib) and costal groove
what is another name for the sternal angle?
angle of louis
what does the head articulate with?
2 vertebral bodies and 1 disc posteriorly
what does the tubercle articulate with?
1 transverse process of the vertebrae
why is the angle of the rib important?
because this is where the vessels in the intercostal space will split
what is the costal groove of the rib formed by?
intercostal v., a. and n.
the superficial pectoral region of the thoracic wall
breasts are superficial - made of secretory glands and superficial fascia
(the secretory glands will lead to ducts to sinuses to lactiferous ducts to the nipple)
what is the nn. superficial pectoral region
lateral and anterior nn. of the 4th to 6th intercostal nn.
**caries general (cutaneous) sensation
what is the lymph drainage of the superficial pectoral region?
parasternal and axillary nodes axillary nodes (on the right) will go to the right jugular lymphatic trunk to drain into the subclavian/ IJV angle **important for breast cancer
what are the vessels for the superficial pectoral region?
branches coming from the internal thoracic vessels (off subclavian) to the 2nd to 4th thoracic intercostal spaces (will perforate the mm. to come superficial)
what are the mm. of the pectoral region of the thoracic wall?
pec major and minor
attach from UL to anterior chest
pec major mm.
divided into 2(or 3 heads) - sterno/costal and clavicular
what is the fascia that surounds pec minor mm.
clavipectoral fascia
**helps to cushion the neurovascularture and separate the 2 pec mm.
what is the orientation of the external intercostal mm. fibers?
in the pocket
what is the orientation of the internal intercostal mm. fibers?
thumbs out of the pocket
what is the transversus toracis mm. attached to?
the xyphoid process and the body of the sternum (looks like a fan)