Thoracic Wall & Diaphragm Flashcards
This is a musculotendinous partition and a major muscle
contributor to respiration
Diaphragm
The large surface area of the Diaphragm assists in
________ ________ of the abdomen
lymphatic drainage
Where does the Diaphragm attach?
Ventral aspect of L3-4
Which 6 things pass through the Diaphragm?
Aorta
Azygous veins
Esophagus
Vena Cava
Thoracic Duct
Nerves
(AVENTA)
T/F:
The Diaphragm is easily visualized on radiography
FALSE
To be detected, an adjacent structure must provide contrast
Why is the ventral Diaphragm more commonly detected?
It is adjacent to the falciform ligament
In which view would you see the CVC entering the
more cranial crus?
RIGHT lateral view
Crura appear divergent in which radiographical view?
LEFT lateral view
In which view can you see up to 3 dome-shaped structures
associated with the diaphragm?
VD (ventrodorsal) view!
(only see 1 in DV)
This occurs when abdominal viscera protrudes through the
Diaphragm
Hernia
The most common cause of diaphragmatic hernias
TRAUMA
A cat that has been HBC is experiencing
Dyspnea, abdominal pain, vomiting, regurgitation heart sounds
that are muffled, and a weak femoral pulse.
What is the most likely cause?
Traumatic Diaphragmatic hernia
This is occurring when a portion of the stomach enters the thorax
through the esophageal hiatus
Hiatal hernia
Hiatal hernias often manifest in patients with
this condition
Partial Upper Airway Obstruction
Which view are you most likely to see a hiatal hernia in?
LEFT lateral
A round cardiac silhouette with heterogeneous opacity
along with silhouetting of the heart and diaphragm
is indicative of this kind of hernia, which is often
an incidental finding
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia:
Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia (PPDH)
With diaphragmatic hernias, you may see
displacement of _______ and _______ structures
along with pleural fluid
abdominal and thoracic
After the thoracic wall is mineralized, where are you most
likely to see large calcifications, which are
often mistaken for tumors or lung nodules?
Costochondral junction
T/F:
Mineralization of the cartilagenous part of the thoracic wall
is a normal aging change, seen in very young dogs
TRUE
This congenital abnormality is described as
mild to severe displacement of the caudal sternebrae
Pectus Excavatum
What radiographic features would you expect to see in an animal
with Pectus Excavatum?
Reduced size of thoracic cavity
Displacement of the heart
