Thoracic Cavity Flashcards
What 3 things make up the Thoracic Cage?
Intercostal muscles
Ribs
Sternum
What artery runs through the thoracic cage near the sternum?
Internal Thoracic Artery
Thoracic Apertures–Name the two regions
Superior Thoracic Aperture
Thoracic Apertures–Name the components of the Superior Thoracic Aperture
Esophagus
Trachea
Common Carotid and Subclavian Arteries
Internal Jugular and Subclavian Viens
Thoracic Apertures–Inferior Thoracic Aperture Name and describe
What is the main structure made of?
Diaphragm
Large and Expandable for breathing
Muscles and Tendons
Describe the superior thoracic aperture–
Where is it located?
Movement?
What structure is between the vein and artery on the rib?
T-1 1st rib.
Very rigid, little movement. Strong pivital area.
Scaleen Tubercle
What is the structural function of the Diaphragm?
Divides the thorax and abdomen.
What nerve innervate the Diaphragm?
From what vertebrae?
Is this muscle voluntary or involuntary?
Phrenic Nerves.
C3, C4, C5
Both voluntary and involuntary.
What is the physiological function of the diaphragm?
Main muscle of respiration.
Flattens out during contraction.
What happens when there is damage to nerves from C3, C4, or C5?
The person loses the ability to breath, and has to be put on a respirator.
The diaphragm has three holes. Name them
Esophageal Hiatus,
Vena Caval Foramen,
Aortic Hiatus
Which vertebral level is the Esophageal Hiatus located?
What 3 structures pass through that hole?
T10
Esophagus,
Vagus nerves,
Esophageal arteries.
Which vertebral level is the Vena Caval Foramen located?
What 2 structures pass through that hole?
T8
Inferior vena cava,
Right phrenic nerve.
Which vertebral level is the Aortic Hiatus located?
What 3 structures pass through that hole?
T12
Aorta,
Azygos vein,
Thoracic Duct
What is the term used to describe the diaphragm’s structural composition?
Musculophrenic
Name the 4 “attachments” of the diaphragm from the posterior first.
T12 vertebra, 12th rib and costal cartilage, 11th rib and costal cartilage, Costal margin of arch, Xiphoid process.
The thoracic wall moves in multiple planes during breathing. What are they?
Lateral, superior, and anterior
Describe what happens to the ribs and diaphragm during breathing.
Inhalation: Rib cage expands as muscles contract and diaphragm contracts (moves down)
Exhalation: Rib cage gets smaller as rib muscles relax and diaphragm releases (moves up)
Describe the origin and purpose of the iron lung.
Was invented during the polio epidemic
Changes pressure to allow breathing because the muscles don’t function anymore.
Not as necessary today.
