The Thorax

Question 1

what is the function of the bony thoracic cage

Answer 1

protects the organs in the thorax
aids in respiration

Question 2

what are true ribs and how many are there

Answer 2

ribs 1-7 are true ribs, these are ribs that directly articulate with the sternum via costal cartilages

Question 3

what are false ribs and how many are there

Answer 3

these are ribs 8-10 and they indirectly articulate with the sternum via costal cartilages of rib 7

Question 4

what are floating ribs

Answer 4

ribs 11&12 are floating ribs, they have no attachment to the sternum

Question 5

what are the two articular surfaces of the rib and what joints do they form

Answer 5

the head of the rib articulates with its corresponding vertebra and the vertebra above, to form the costovertebral joint. the tubercle of the rib articulates with the transverse process of the vertebra forming the costotransverse joint

Question 6

what vertebral level is the jugular notch

Answer 6

T2-T3

Question 7

What vertebral level is the sternal angle?

Answer 7

T4-T5

Question 8

name the three notches on the manubrium of the sternum

Answer 8

the clavicular notches bilaterally and the jugular notch

Question 9

what are the boundaries to the superior thoracic aperature

Answer 9

anteriorly: the manubrium
posteriorly: body of T1 vertebra
laterally: pair 1 rib and costal cartilage

Question 10

what are the boundaries of the inferior thoracic aperature

Answer 10

anteriorly: xiphisternal joint
posteriorly: T12 body
posterior-laterally: costal margins of ribs 7-10

Question 11

what does the central tendon of the diaphragm fuse with

Answer 11

the fibrous pericardium

Question 12

what vertebral level does the IVC pass through the diaphragm

Answer 12

at T8

Question 13

what structures pass through the diaphragm at T8?

Answer 13

the IVC, the phrenic nerve

Question 14

what vertebral level does the esophagus pass through the diaphragm?

Answer 14

T10

Question 15

what structures pass through the diaphragm at T10?

Answer 15

The esophagus and the vagus nerve

Question 16

what vertebral level does the aorta pass through the diaphragm

Answer 16

T12

Question 17

what structures pass through the diaphragm at T12?

Answer 17

The aorta, the thoracic duct and the azygos vein

Question 19

what is the action of the intercostal muscles

Answer 19

to aid respiration

Question 20

name the intercostal muscles from superficial to deep

Answer 20

external intercostals, internal intercostals, and innermost intercostals

Question 21

where do the intercostal nerves and associated arteries and veins pass through?

Answer 21

the costal groove on the medial surface of the ribs

Question 22

what are the pleural membranes

Answer 22

parietal and visceral pleura, parietal is the outer layer, continuous with the thoracic wall and diaphragm
the visceral layer closely covers the outer lung surface

Question 23

which pleural membrane is sensitive to pain?

Answer 23

the parietal pleura

Question 24

name the different parietal pleura surfaces

Answer 24

mediastinal, diaphragmatic, cervical and costal pleura

Question 25

name the pleural recesses

Answer 25

the costophrenic recess
the costomediastinal recess

Question 26

what are the three surfaces of the left and right lungs?

Answer 26

the costal surface
the mediastinal surface
the diaphragmatic surface

Question 27

name the lobes of the left and right lungs

Answer 27

the right lung: superior, middle, inferior lobes
the left lung: superior and inferior lobes

Question 28

in the right lung, what does the oblique fissure separate

Answer 28

the oblique fissure separates the superior and middle lobes from the inferior lobe

Question 29

what does the horizontal fissure separate in the right lung

Answer 29

the horizontal fissure separates the superior lobe from the middle love

Question 30

name two distinct features of the left lung

Answer 30

the lingula; tongue-like projection from the inferioanterior surface of the superior lobe of L.lung
the cardiac impression; medial surface of hte left lung (sup. lobe)

Question 31

which bronchus and why is more likely to inhale a foreign body

Answer 31

the right bronchus as it is wider, shorter and more vertical

Question 32

what vertebral level does the trachea bifurcate?

Answer 32

T4/T5

Question 33

what is bronchestasis

Answer 33

abnormally and permanently dilated bronchi

Question 34

what is cor pulmonale

Answer 34

heart failure secondary to COPD or other lung disease

Question 35

how does acute respiratory distress syndrome appear on a radiograph?

Answer 35

ground-glass opacification, overall reduction in air content of the affected lung