Thoracic Cavity Flashcards
What is the thorax?
region between neck and abdomen housing major organs of respiration and blood circulation
What are the compartments of the thorax?
2 pulmonary cavities and a mediastinum
What is the pulmonary cavities?
where the lungs, pleura and pleural cavities are
What is the mediastinum?
area between pulmonary cavities that contain heart, aorta, trachea, etc
What are serous membranes?
doubled layered membranes that create serous fluid and lubricate the cavities and organs; meninges, pleura, pericardium, peritoneum
What is the superior thoracic aperature?
aka thoracic inlet - opening of rib cage
What is the inferior thoracic aperature?
aka thoracic outlet - bottom opening of the rib cage
How many ribs do you have?
24; 12 pairs
What is the costal groove for?
to protect the intercostal muscle and vessel; neurovascular bundle
Which are the true ribs?
1-7
Which are the false ribs?`
8-12
Which are the floating ribs?
11-12
Why are they called false ribs?
because they do not directly attach to the sternum but rather multiple of them feed into one rib
What are the three parts of the sternum?
manubrium, body and xiphoid process
What is the joint where the sternum joins the clavicle?
sternoclavicular joint
What are synovial joints?
Joints between the sternum and the cartilage of ribs 2-4
What are synovial joints?
Joints between the sternum and the cartilage of ribs 2-4; contain fluid in the joint space
What is a costochondral joint?
where the bone of the rib meets the cartilage of the rib
What is the transthorasic plane
Plane of Ludwig; imaginary line that goes through the sternal angle and t4 and t5, 2nd costal cartilage; crosses many important structures
What structures cross the transthoracic plane?
RATPL(LAA)AT R = Rib 2 A = Aortic arch T = Trachea bifurcates P = Pulmonary artery bifurcates L = Left recurrent laryngeal nerve A = Ligamentum Arteriosum A = Azygous vein T = Thoracic duct
What are suspensory ligaments?
ligaments of copper; attaches breast to overlying dermis and keeps breast up
What is axillary tail?
tail of spence; attaches breast to the armpit area
What are external intercostals?
rib muscle that runs down and in (inferomedially); from transverse process to mamillary line
What are internal intercostals?
fibers run superomedially; sternum to scapular line
What do external intercostals do?
how you do take deep breath in
What do internal intercostals do?
push air out
What are two types of innermost intercostals?
subcostals and transversus thoracis
