Thorax Flashcards
How many apertures does the thoracic cavity have and which are these?
Two - superior and inferior thoracic apertures
To which regions does the thorax communicate with through the superior thoracic aperture/thoracic inlet?
Neck and upper limb
How is the superior thoracic aperture shaped? Why is it shaped like this?
Slopes antero-inferiorly because of the obliquity of first pair of ribs
How is the superior thoracic aperture bounded?
- Posteriorly: T1 vertebra
- Laterally: first pair of ribs and their costal cartilages
- Anteriorly: superior border of manubrium
To which region does the thorax communicate with through the inferior thoracic aperture/thoracic outlet?
- Abdomen
How is the inferior thoracic aperture bounded?
- Posteriorly: T12 vertebra
- Posterolaterally: 11th and 12th pairs of ribs
- Anterolaterally: joined costal cartilage of 7-10 ribs (form costal margin)
- Anteriorly: xiphisternal joint
How many types of ribs are there and which are these?
Three.
True, false, and floating
Which are the true ribs and what characterizes them as such?
1-7th ribs
- Attach directly to sternum anteriorly through own costal cartilages
Which are the false ribs and what characterizes them as such?
8-10th ribs
- Have cartilages on their anterior ends that are joined to cartilage of the rib just superior to them; thus, their connection with the sternum is indirect
Which are the floating ribs and what characterizes them as such?
11th and 12th
- Have rudimentary cartilages on anterior ends that don’t connect to sternum; instead, they end in posterior abdominal musculature
Which are the typical ribs and what are the parts that compose these?
3rd to 9tn
Parts: head, neck, tubercle, body
How many facets does the head of a typical rib have and how do they articulate with the vertebra?
2 facets separated by the crest of the head
- The inferior one articulates with the body of the numerically corresponding vertebra (at superior facet) and the superior one with the superior vertebrae (at inferior facet)
What does the neck of a typical rib connect?
Head with body at the level of the tubercle
Where is the tubercle of a typical rib and which parts compose its articular cavity?
At the junction of neck and body
- It has a smooth articular part and a rough nonarticular part
What attaches to or articulates with the articular and nonarticular part of the tubercle of rib?
Articular: for articulating with corresponding transverse process (synovial)
Nonarticular: fibrous attachment to process through costotransverse ligament
What are the two structural features of the body of the rib?
Angle: where the rib begins to turn anterolaterally
Costal groove: concavity on the inferior edge that runs along the internal surface of the body
Which are the atypical ribs?
1st, 2nd, 10 - 12th
What are the characteristics of the 1º rib?
- Shortest and most sharply curved of true
- 2 shallow horizontal grooves crossing its superior surface; these are separated by the scalene tubercle and ridge
- Articulates with T1 only
What are the characteristics of the 2º rib?
- Thinner and more typical
- Formations for attachment of serratus anterior and posterior scalene muscles
- Almost twice length of 1st
Which ribs have only 1 facet on their heads?
10-12th and 1st
Which ribs have no necks or tubercles?
11th and 12th
What are the costal cartilages?
Bars of hyaline cartilage that prolong ribs anteriorly and contribute to elasticity of thoracic wall
What is the sternum?
Flat, vertically elongated bone that forms the middle of the anterior part of the thoracic cage
Which parts constitute the sternum?
Manubrium, body, and xiphoid process
What is the manubrium?
Superior part of sternum with a roughly trapezoidal shape
Where is the manubrium of the sternum?
Lies at the level of T3 and T4
What is the jugular notch?
Central indentation in superior border of the manubrium of the sternum
Where are the clavicular notches?
Indentations on each side of the jugular notch that articulate with sternal end of clavicle
What is the sternal angle and where is it located?
Located opposite to the second pair of cartilages at the level between T4 and 5, originated by the slight difference on the planes where the manubrium and body are located
What is the body of the sternum?
Inferior continuation of the manubrium; longer, narrower, and thinner than the manubrium, with a variable width
Where is the body of the sternum and what main structural feature does it have?
At the level of T5-9 vertebral level
-Costal notches: located on the lateral borders of the body for articulation with the costal cartilages
What is the xiphoid process?
Small elongated inferior projection of the body of the sternum
Where is the xiphoid process located?
At the level of T10
What is the thorax?
Superior part of the trunk between the neck and abdomen
What is the thoracic cavity?
Structure surrounded by the thoracic wall; contains the heart, lungs, thymus, distal part of trachea, and most of esophagus
What are the functions of the thoracic wall?
- Protect thoracic and abdominal organs
- Resist negative internal pressure during inspiration
- Provide attachment for many muscles of upper limbs, neck, abdomen, and back and the muscles of respiration
What is the thoracic cage made out of?
- 12 pairs of ribs and costal cartilages
- 12 thoracic vertebrae + IV discs
- Sternum
What are the intercostal spaces?
Openings between ribs, that separate ribs and their costal cartilages from one another
- There are 11 of these
Where is the subcostal space?
Below 12th rib
How many intercostal nerves does the thoracic wall have and where are these?
11; located at the intercostal spaces (# intercostal nerve = # intercostal space)
What is the subcostal nerve?
Nerve located at the subcostal space, made of the anterior ramus of the spinal nerve T12