Thoracic Cavity 2

Question 1

Where does the trachea run from?

Answer 1

from C6 to bifurcation (carina)

carina can rise and fall between T4-6

Question 2

Describe the posterior relations of the manubrium

Answer 2

• posterior to sternoclavicular joint: BCV formation and division of brachiocephalic trunk to its branches on right side
• posterior to 1st right CC: formation of SVC
• posterior to 2nd right CC: arch of azygos joins SVC
• posterior to 3rd right CC: SVC enters right atrium

Question 3

Where does the thoracic aorta run from?

Answer 3

sternal angle to aortic hiatus at T12

Question 4

What are the visceral branches of the thoracic aorta?

Answer 4

• oesophageal arteries
• bronchial arteries (2 on left, 1 on right)
• pericardial branches
• mediastinal branches
• superior phrenic artery

Question 5

What are the different types of muscle throughout the oesophagus?

Answer 5

• upper 1/3: striated
• middle 1/3: mix striated and smooth
• lower 1/3: smooth muscle

Question 6

What kind of epithelia is found in the oesophagus?

Answer 6

stratified squamous

Question 7

At what level does the oesophagus pierce the diaphragm?

Answer 7

T10

Question 8

What are the 4 constrictions of the oesophagus?

Answer 8

• upper oesophageal sphincter
• arch of aorta
• left main bronchus
• diaphragm

Question 9

What is used to visualise the oesophagus on X-ray and why?

Answer 9

barium because it does not let the X-ray penetrate it

Question 10

Why can constrictions of the oesophagus cause problems?

Answer 10

• constrictions are more likely to cause blockages
• they can hinder the passage of instruments
• slow down the passage of dangerous substances which can cause more damage

Question 11

Describe the venous drainage of the oesophagus

Answer 11

• upper and middle third veins drain to azygos/hemiazygos/ accessory hemiazygos
• lower thirs drains to gastric vein to portal system

Question 12

Explain how the oesophageal plexus is made up

Answer 12

left vagus forms anterior vagal trunk
right vagus forms posterior vagal trunk
fibres from posterior and anterior vagal trunk with sympathetic fibres form oesophageal plexus

Question 13

Where are superior and inferior tracheobronchial nodes found?

Answer 13

clustered around the trachea and oesophagus

Question 14

Where are the anterior mediastinal nodes found?

Answer 14

around the BCV

Question 15

Where are the posterior mediastinal nodes found?

Answer 15

behind the heart and adjacent to the oesophagus

Question 16

Explain lymph drainage of the thorax from the lungs

Answer 16

• pulomonary nodes drain to bronchopulmonary nodes
• to inferior and superior tracheobronchial nodes
• paratracheal nodea receive lymph from them and posterior mediastinal
• bronchomediastinal trunk receives lymph from them, parasternal and anterior mediastinal nodes

Question 17

Where does the left jugular lymh trunk, subclavian lymph trunk and bronchomediastinal trunk drain to?

Answer 17

The thoracic duct to the left BCV

Question 18

Where does the right jugular lymh trunk, subclavian lymph trunk and bronchomediastinal trunk drain to?

Answer 18

The right lymphatic duct to the right BCV

Question 19

Where does the thoracic duct carry lymph from?

Answer 19

everywhere except thorax, upper limb and head and neck of the right side

Question 20

What is the cisterna chyli?

Answer 20

the start of the thoracic duct

Question 21

Where does the thoracic duct lie and where does it cross over?

Answer 21

between the aorta and azygos vein in the posterior mediastinum and crosses at T4/5

Question 22

What is chylothorax?

Answer 22

When the thoracic duct is injured and lymph seeps into the cavity