Thoracic Wall and Lungs

Question 1

What are the boundaries of the thoracic inlet?

Answer 1

first thoracic vertebra, medial border of first rib, and their costal cartilages, superior border of the manubrium

Question 2

Where do the ribs attach to the sternum?

Answer 2

1-7 (true ribs) - costal cartilage attaches directly to the sternum

Question 3

Where do the ribs attach to the vertebral?

Answer 3

The head of the rib attaches to the vertebral body, tubercle of the rib attaches to the transverse process of the vertebra

Question 4

What/where is the costal margin?

Answer 4

Lower edge of rib cage formed by the cartilages of the 7th-10th ribs attaching to the sternum

Question 5

The xiphisternum (diploid process) is not visible why?

Answer 5

The xiphisternum is cartilaginous in the young, with age it ossifies and may fuse to the body in many specimens is not present.

In the living it can be used as a surface landmark for the central tendon of the diaphragm and inferior border of the heart

Question 6

Which rib attaches at the sternal angle?

Answer 6

The second rib, it can be easily palpated it is used as a starting point when counting ribs

Question 7

Describe where the head, the tubercle and scale tubercle are

Answer 7

The tubercle is the pointy bit lower down and the scalene tubercle is the inside area of the rib

Question 8

What muscle is attached to the scalene tubercle?

Answer 8

The anterior scalene muscle

Question 9

What do the superior articular facet fuse?

Answer 9

Articulate with the inferior articular facets of the vertebra above

Question 10

The level of the diaphragm varies during ventilation (and between person to person) but that vertebral level does it usually lies during expiration

Answer 10

Level of 5th thoracic vertebra (T5)

Question 11

What structures pass through the diaphragm and at what level?

Answer 11

inferior vena cava T8
Oesophagus T10
Aorta T12

Question 12

Where does the diaphragm insert?

Answer 12

central tendon

Question 13

Which nerve innervates the diaphragm?

Answer 13

The phrenic nerve

Question 14

Does the diaphragm receive somatic or autonomic innervation?

Answer 14

Somatic

Question 15

What is the function of the external intercostal muscle?

Answer 15

Moves the ribs outwards, upwards, and forwards during inspiration

Question 16

What is the function of the internal intercostal muscles?

Answer 16

Draws ribs downwards and inwards during forced expiraiton

Question 17

What are the 5 accessory muscles of inspiration?

Answer 17

1. Pectoralis major
2. Pectoralis minor
3. Serratus anterior
4. Sternocleidomastoid
5. Scalenes

Question 18

Where do the intercostal nerves arise?

Answer 18

From the thoracic region of the spinal cord, they are the ventral rami of the first 11 thoracic spinal nerves

Question 19

Which structures are supplied by the intercostal nerves?

Answer 19

Intercostal muscles, the parietal pleura, and overlying skin

Question 20

What type of innervation do the intercostal nerves provide?

Answer 20

Somatic

Question 21

Where do the posterior intercostal arteries arise?

Answer 21

Thoracic aorta

Question 22

Where do the anterior intercostal arteries arise?

Answer 22

Internal thoracic (mammary) and musculophrenic arteries

Question 23

Which system of veins do the intercostal veins drain into?

Answer 23

Azygos system

Question 24

Where in the body are the apices of the lungs located?

Answer 24

Above the clavicles

Question 25

What are the major vessels seen at the hilum?

Answer 25

The right primary bronchus, pulmonary veins, and pulmonary arteries

Question 26

What other structures enter/exit the lungs at the hilum?

Answer 26

Bronchial vessels, lymphatics, autonomic nerves