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142 . Human Cardiorespiratory System > Thorax > Flashcards

Thorax Flashcards

1
Q

What are the functions of the thorax?

A

Protection of vital organs
Assist in respiration
Attachment of muscles
Assist with posture

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2
Q

The thorax has an osseocartilaginous framework, what does this mean?

A

The framework of the thorax is comprised of bone (ribs) and cartilage (intercostal muscles)

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3
Q

What vital organs is the thorax protecting?

A

Heart
Major vessels
Lungs

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4
Q

How does the thorax assist in respiration?

A

The ribcage moves in an out to alter the air pressure inside the lungs relative to the environment

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5
Q

What are the three parts of the sternum, from superior to posterior:

A
  1. Manubrium
  2. Body
  3. Xiphoid Process
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6
Q

Where is the clavicular notch and what is its significance?

A

The notch is on the superior part of the manubrium, it is where the clavicle unites with the sternum

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7
Q

When viewing the sternum laterally, there are small depressions in the bone, what are these notches?

A

They are where the costal cartilage unite with the sternum, (there are 7 of these notches)

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8
Q

What is the name for the most inferior part of the sternum?

A

Xiphoid process

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9
Q

What determines the shape of a rib bone?

A

Its position in the thoracic cage

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10
Q

How does the shape of a rib bone change as they go down the thoracic cage?

A

The 1st rib is shorter and more curved, they then get longer and less sharply curved all the way to the 8th rib, then become shorter again at the bottom to the 12th rib

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11
Q

The ribs articulate posteriorly with the ___?

A

Vertebral body

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12
Q

The ribs articulate anteriorly with the ___?

A

Costal cartilage

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13
Q

Describe the structure of a rib bone:

A

Size and curve depends on position in cage.
Anterior end - cup shaped depression
Shaft - twisted on long axis
Posterior end - 2 demi-facet heads, neck and tubercle

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14
Q

What are the different types of thoracic vertebrae?

A

Typical and Atypical

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15
Q

What is meant by a Typical thoracic vertebrae?

A

Vertebrae T2 - T8

Articular facets on the upper and lower borders of body with a facet on transverse process reciprocally curved

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16
Q

What is meant by an Atypical thoracic vertebrae?

A

T1 = 2 facets on body and one on transverse process
T9 - T12 = only 1 body facet
T11 - T12 = no facet on transverse process

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17
Q

What different joints are present at the Thorax?

A 
Manubriosternal
Xiphisternal
Sternocostal
Costochondral
Interchondral
Costotransverse
Costovertebral
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18
Q

What are sternocostal joints?

A

Joints between the costal cartilage and sternum

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19
Q

What are costochondral joints?

A

Joints between the costal cartilage and the ribs

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20
Q

What are xiphisternal joints?

A

Joint between the xiphoid process and the sternal body

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21
Q

What are manubriosternal joints?

A

Joint between the manubrium and the sternal body

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22
Q

What are interchondral joints?

A

Joints between the costal cartilage

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23
Q

What are costotransverse joints?

A

Joint between rib facet and transverse process

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24
Q

What are costovertebral joints?

A

Joints that connect the ribs to the vertebral column

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25
Q

What type of joint is the manubriosternal joint and describe the amount of movement present?

A

A fibrous joint, more specifically symphysis. There is a small amount of angular movement as the joint is hinge-like.

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26
Q

Which joints are located posteriorly at the thorax?

A

Costotransverse

Costovertebral

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27
Q

What type of joint is the costotransverse joint and describe the amount of movement present?

A

Synovial plane

Gliding, and upper ribs can rotate

28
Q

What type of joint is the costovertebral joint and describe the amount of movement present?

A

Synovial plane

Gliding occurs

29
Q

Which muscle divides the thorax from the abdomen?

A

The diaphragm

30
Q

Describe the attachment of the diaphragm muscle:

A

It attaches to the inside of the thoracic cage at 3 main points and attaches in the middle to a fibrous central tendon

31
Q

There are three openings in the middle of the diaphragm muscle, why are these here?

A

To allow substances to flow through, one hole is for the vena cava, one for the aorta and another for oesophagus

32
Q

The diaphragm is a special muscle as it only has attachment to one bone. On this bone the diaphragm muscle attaches at 3 main points, where are these?

A

Sternal – posterior aspect xiphoid process
Costal– internal surfaces of CC and lower 6 ribs
Lumbar – (R) and (L) crura, and arcuate ligaments

33
Q

What is the nerve supply for the diaphragm?

A

The phrenic nerve (C3, C4, C5)

34
Q

.

A

.

35
Q

.

A

.

36
Q

What limits the contraction distance of the diaphragm?

A

The abdominal contents

37
Q

What are the 3 layers of the intercostal muscles?

A

External Intercostals
Internal Intercostals
Innermost Intercostals

38
Q

What direction are the muscle fibres travelling in the external intercostals?

A

Fibres down and medial

39
Q

What direction are the muscle fibres travelling in the internal intercostals?

A

Fibres down and back

40
Q

What direction are the muscle fibres travelling in the innermost intercostals?

A

Fibres down and back

41
Q

When are external intercostals used?

A

Inspiration to elevate the ribs

42
Q

When are internal intercostals used?

A

Expiration to lower the ribs (although there is debate about this)

43
Q

What are in the neurovascular bundle beneath the internal intercostals?

A

Nerves, Veins and Artery

44
Q

Where is the parietal pleura located?

A

Behind the innermost intercostals

45
Q

Which muscles are responsible for keeping the intercostal spaces rigid?

A

Intercostal muscles

46
Q

(In relation to air pressures) How does the thoracic cavity leads expiration?

A

Volume in thoracic cavity decreases,
Therefore air pressure increases
Air rushes out of the lungs as pressure inside the lungs > outside the lungs

47
Q

What are the different mechanisms which work to alter the volume of the thorax?

A

Pump handle mechanism
Bucket handle mechanism
Descent of diaphragm

48
Q

What affect does the descent of the diaphragm have on the diameter of the thorax?

A

Increased vertical diameter
Increased transverse diameter
Increased anteroposterior (AP) diameter

49
Q

In the ribs, where is the pivot located?

A

Around the costotransverse joint

50
Q

(In relation to air pressures) How does the thoracic cavity leads inspiration?

A

Volume in thoracic cavity increases,
Therefore air pressure decreases
Air rushes into the lungs as pressure inside the lungs < outside the lungs

51
Q

What significance does the pivot system of the ribs have?

A

The pivot is posterior so any posterior movement will be amplified at the front.

52
Q

Explain the pump handle mechanism:

A

Rotation backwards of rib neck, elevating the anterior end of rib, causes a hinge effect at manubriosternal joint which increases the AP diameter

53
Q

Explain the buckle handle mechanism:

A

Rib pivots around anterior and posterior ends, lower border of rib raised and everts, increasing transverse diameter of throat

54
Q

Which muscles are involved in quiet (resting) respiration?

A

Primarily diaphragm, scalenes fix 1st rib

55
Q

Which muscles are involved in deep inspiration?

A

Diaphragm, intercostal muscles, scalenes (1st rib), quadratus lumborum (12th rib)

56
Q

Which muscles are involved in expiration?

A

Passive movement relies on the recoil of lungs

57
Q

Which muscles are involved in forced expiration?

A

Abdominal muscles and Latissimus dorsi

58
Q

What structures pass through/behind the diaphragm. Why is it necessary for the structure to pass behind the diaphragm?

A

Aorta behind so movement of the diaphragm does not compress the vessel (T12)
Oesophagus at T10 through right crura
Vena Cava at T8, central tendon

59
Q

Name the accessory muscles of respiration how do they help with breathing?

A

Scalenes/Sternocleidomastoid – increase Vertical diameter of thorax

60
Q

Indicate the type of joint, the structures involved, the ligaments and the movement occurring at the Costochondral joints:

A

Primary cartilaginous (Synchondroses) Articulation between the costal cartilage and the rib
Joined by hyaline cartilage
No movement

61
Q

Indicate the type of joint, the structures involved, the ligaments and the movement occurring at the Sternocostal joints:

A 
Primary cartilaginous (Synchondroses)
Articulation between the costal cartilage and the sternum, capsule, anterior and posterior radiate ligaments
Bones connected by hyaline cartilage
Rest are synovial plane
1st no movement, 2 -7 slight gliding
62
Q

Indicate the type of joint, the structures involved, the ligaments and the movement occurring at the Manubriosternal joints:

A

Secondary cartilaginous (Symphysis)
Articulating bones Manubrium and Sternal body
Ends of bone covered with hyaline cartilage and joined by fibrocartilage, slight hinge like movement

63
Q

Indicate the type of joint, the structures involved, the ligaments and the movement occurring at the 4th Costotransverse joint:

A

Synovial plane joint, articular facet on the corresponding transverse process (T4) and article facet on tubercle of the rib, capsule, lateral costotransverse ligament, costotransverse ligament and superior costotransverse ligament, rotation due to reciprocal curvature of articular surfaces

64
Q

During normal and deep breathing which diameters of the thorax are increased?

A

Normal, quite breathing, vertical diameter increased

Deep breathing, vertical, anterior/posterior and transverse

65
Q

What are accessory muscles?

A

Muscles other than the diaphragm and intercostals that help with breathing.

142 . Human Cardiorespiratory System (8 decks)

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