Thorax 1 (Grace's) Flashcards
The thorax is the…
…part of the trunk betweent the neck and abdomen.
The **thoracic skeleton **contains…
- the thoracic cage (rib cage)
with the horizontal bars formed by ribs and costal cartilages
supported by the vertical sternum and thoracic vertebrae.
What makes up the floor of the thoracic cavity?
the diaphragm
deeply invaginated inferiorly (i.e., is pushed upward) by viscera of the abdominal cavity
the lower half of the thoracic wall surrounds and protects… ?
(what viscera?)
abdominal rather than thoracic viscera.
the **true thoracic wall **includes…
- thoracic cage and the muscles that extend between its elements
- the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles, and fascia covering its anterolateral aspect
(the same structures covering its posterior aspect are considered to belong to the back)
the **thorax **includes primary organs from what systems?
respiratory & cardiovascular
What are the compartments of the thoracic cavity?
- central compartment (or mediastinum):
= heart, great vessels, thalamus, esophagus, trachea, thoracic nerves
2&3. lateral compartments (R/L pleural cavities) :
= the lungs + right&left pleura
The majority of the thoracic cavity is filled by ____________.
Its function is to ________________________.
the lungs.
exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between air and blood.
The smaller thoracic compartment
contains structure responsible for _________________?
Conducting the **air and blood to and from the lungs. **
Nutrients traverse the thoracic cavity via the ______________ ,
passing from the ___________________ to the ________________________.
- esophagus
- from the** intake organ (mouth)** to the** site of digestion and absorption (abdomen)**
The breasts & mammary glands…
… mammary glands lie within the subcutaneous tissue of the thoracic wall
… are mostly related to the reproductive system
chest pain is….
… the most important symptom of cardiac disease
chest pain can also occur from…
intestinal, gallbladder, and musculoskeletal disorders.
An examination of chest pain should focus on…
discriminating between serious conditions and the many minor causes of pain.
heart attack pain is usually described as…
severe sub-sternal pain (deep to the sternum) that does not disappear with rest.
What group of muscles are encountered in the thoracic wall and may be considered part of it?
anterolateral thoracoappendicular
(pectoralis major and serratus anterior)
thoracic cage functions:
- Protect vital thoracic & abdominal internal organs (most air or fluid filled) from external forces.
- Resist the negative internal pressures (elastic recoil of the lungs &inspiratory movements)
- Attachment for/support the weight of the upper limbs.
- Anchoring attachment (origin) of many of muscles that move/maintain the position of the upper limbs; attachments for muscles of the abdomen, neck, back, and respiration.
The joints, thinness and flexibility of the ribs allow…
- absorbtion of many external blows and compressions without fracture
- change of its shape repetitively/sufficiently as required for respiration
The thorax is one of the most dynamic regions of the body because…
… It contains the most important structures (heart, great vessels, lungs, and trachea) as well as its floor and walls, which are constantly in motion.
Which structures aid in the inhalation/exhalation motions?
- muscles of the thoracic wall
- the diaphragm
- muscles of the abdominal wall
- lung elasticity
What structures are active in INHALATION?
(lung volume increases)
- the diaphragm (engaged)
- external intercostals (forced inhalation, e.g. exercising)
What structures are active in EXHALATION?
(lung volume decreases)
- diaphram (relaxed)
- elactic recoil of lungs
- internal intercostales (forced exhalation)
the thoracic skeleton forms the __________________
osteocartilaginous thoracic cage
The thoracis skeleton has:
___ pairs of ribs/costal cartilages?
____ thoracic vertebrae/intervertebral discs ?
and what other structure?
- 12 pairs of ribs/costal cartilages
- 12 thoracic vertebrae/intervertebral discs
- sternum
RIBS
- curved, flat bones that form most of the thoracic cage
- lightweight yet highly flexible
- has a spongy interior