Thoracic Wall Anatomy Flashcards
Name the three compartments of the thoracic cavity.
1) Left Pleural Cavity
2) Right Pleural Cavity
3) Mediastinum
List some functions of the thoracic cavity.
Breathing, Organ Protection, Organ Conduit
What is the name of the top opening of the thorax?
Superior Thoracic Aperture
What is the name of the bottom opening of the thorax?
Inferior Thoracic Aperture
What is the most important function of the intercostal muscles?
Maintain tone in intercostal space
Which muscles are most active during inspiration and help ribs move superiorly?
External Intercostal Muscles
Which muscles are most active during expiration and help ribs move inferiorly?
Internal Intercostal Muscles; Innermost Intercostal Muscles
What are the boundaries of the mediastinum?
Superior thoracic aperture on top
Diaphragm on bottom
Sternum anteriorly
Thoracic vertebrae posteriorly
Pleural cavities laterally
Identify the structural (skeletal) elements of the thoracic wall.
Twelve Thoracic Vertebrae
Twelve pairs of ribs
Sternum
Define boundaries for the superior thoracic aperture.
T1 vertebra posteriorly
Medial margins of 1st rib laterally
Manubrium of sternum anteriorly
Define boundaries for the inferior thoracic aperture.
T12 vertebra posteriorly
11th and 12th ribs posteriolaterally
Cartilage of ribs 7-10 anteriolaterally
Xiphoid process anteriorly
What is the source of arterial blood supply to the breast?
Branches of Lateral Thoracic Artery, Internal Thoracic Artery, and Anterior/Posterior Intercostal Arteries
Posterior Intercostal veins drain into which system?
Azygos
Anterior intercostal veins drain into which system?
Internal Thoracic Veins
What is it called when you insert a needle through the thorax to withdraw a fluid sample?
Thoracocentesis
What is the main source of bloodflow to the thoracic wall?
Anterior and Posterior Intercostal Arteries
List the layers of the thoracic wall from External to Internal.
Skin
Superficial Fascia
External Intercostal Muscle
Internal Intercostal Muscle
Intercostal Vein, Artery, and Nerve
Innermost Intercostal Muscle
Endothoracic Fascia
Parietal Pleura
Pleural Space
Visceral Pleura
Lung
Label this
Label this
Label this
Label this
Describe lymphatic drainage of the anterior thoracic wall
**Anterior Thoracic Wall **to
**Parasternal Nodes **to
**R and L Bronchomediastinal Trunks **to
RIght Lymphatic Duct (from R Bronchomediastinal Trunk)
and
Thoracic Duct ( from L Bronchomediastinal Trunk)
Describe lymphatic drainage of the posterior thoracic wall
Posterior Thoracic Wall to
Intercostal Nodes
Directly into **Thoracic Duct **
OR
Indirectly via Bronchomediastinal Trunks.
What innervates the thoracic wall?
12 pairs of thoracic ventral rami
11 intercostal nerves
1 subcostal nerve
