Thoracic Wall Flashcards
What are the roles of the Thorax
- rigidity and elasticity
- respiration
- movement , provides attachment for muscles
- haematopoiesis
- connections with the neck upper limbs and abdomen
what makes up the thoracic cage
sternum 12 pairs of ribs their costal cartilages 12 thoracic vertebrae intervertebrae
what makes up the thoracic wall
thoracic cage skin subcutaneous tissue thoracic muscles + fascia 3 layers of muscles extending between ribs mammary glands/breast tissue
features of thoracic vertebrae
inferior and superior articular processes are vertical
articular facets face slightly medially to allow some rotation but no flexion
what are true ribs
1-7 and attach directly to the sternum through costal cartilage
false ribs
8-10 attach sternum indirectly through costal cartilage of 7th rib
floating ribs
11-12 and do not articulate with the sternum
structure of typical ribs 2-10
neck head tubercle body costal angle
structure of atypical ribs - rib 1
- scalene tubercle attachment for anterior scalene muscle
groove for subclavian vein - groove for subclavian artery and inferior trunk (c8 and t1) fo brachial plexus
No costal groove
atypical rib - floating ribs structure
- no attachment to sternum
- heads articulate only with corresponding vertebra
do not articulate with the transverse processes
three parts of the sternum
manubrium
body
xiphoid process
why is the sternal angle an important land mark
the second cc is at this le vet so can be used to count the ribs
this is at the level of the intervertebral disc between the T4 AND T5 vertebrae
the proximal and distal boundaries of the aortic arch are at this level
the bifurcation of the trachea
superior limit of the pulmonary trunk
azygous vein opening SVC
Ligamentium arteriosum
site of bone marrow aspiration
sternum
COSTOVERTEBRAL JOINT
each rib (exculding 1, 11, 12) articulates with the superior costal facet on its corresponding vertebrae and the inferior costal facet of the vertebrae above
this is a SYNOVIAL joint and is supported by a capsule with ligaments
facets of T1
1 and a half costal facets on its body
facets of T2 - T9
2 half costal facets
facets of T10
1 half costal facet
facets of T11 + T12
1 Oval costal facet each
costotransverse joint
the joint between the tubercle of the rib (except 11 and 12) and the transverse process of its corresponding vertebrae
costotransverse joints 1-7 structure
curved facets allowing rotary movement
costotransverse joints 8,9,10
flat facets allowing a gliding movement
COSTOCHONDRAL / COSTOSTERNAL JOINTS
All ribs articulate anteriorly with a costal cartilage (CC) via a primary cartilaginous joint
CC ribs 1-7 articulate directly with the sternum via synovial joints to allow movement (not rib 1)\
CC ribs 8-10 articulate with costal cartilage above and indirectly with the sternum
what is thoracic inlet bound by
T1 vertebrae, 1st rib and CC + manubrium
structure of thoracic inlet
slopes anteriorly inferiorly, the apex of the lung extends 2-3 cm above the anterior part of the 1st rib and clavicle
Structures that pass between the thorax and the neck
- Vessels that supply and drain the head and neck
- Trachea
- Oesophagus
- Vagus + recurrent laryngeal nerves
- Phrenic nerves
Structures that pass between the thorax and the upper limb lie on the first rib
- Subclavian vein
- Subclavian artery
- (Inferior trunk of the brachial plexus)
what is the thoracic outlet bound by
T12 vertebra, 11th and 12th ribs, CC of ribs 7-10 and xiphoid process
closed incompletely by the diaphragm