Thorax Flashcards

1
Q

How many apertures does the thoracic cavity have and which are these?

A

Two - superior and inferior thoracic apertures

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2
Q

To which regions does the thorax communicate with through the superior thoracic aperture/thoracic inlet?

A

Neck and upper limb

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3
Q

How is the superior thoracic aperture shaped? Why is it shaped like this?

A

Slopes antero-inferiorly because of the obliquity of first pair of ribs

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4
Q

How is the superior thoracic aperture bounded?

A
  • Posteriorly: T1 vertebra
  • Laterally: first pair of ribs and their costal cartilages
  • Anteriorly: superior border of manubrium
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5
Q

To which region does the thorax communicate with through the inferior thoracic aperture/thoracic outlet?

A
  • Abdomen
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6
Q

How is the inferior thoracic aperture bounded?

A
  • Posteriorly: T12 vertebra
  • Posterolaterally: 11th and 12th pairs of ribs
  • Anterolaterally: joined costal cartilage of 7-10 ribs (form costal margin)
  • Anteriorly: xiphisternal joint
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7
Q

How many types of ribs are there and which are these?

A

Three.
True, false, and floating

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8
Q

Which are the true ribs and what characterizes them as such?

A

1-7th ribs
- Attach directly to sternum anteriorly through own costal cartilages

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9
Q

Which are the false ribs and what characterizes them as such?

A

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

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10
Q

Which are the floating ribs and what characterizes them as such?

A

11th and 12th
- Have rudimentary cartilages on anterior ends that don’t connect to sternum; instead, they end in posterior abdominal musculature

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11
Q

Which are the typical ribs and what are the parts that compose these?

A

3rd to 9tn
Parts: head, neck, tubercle, body

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12
Q

How many facets does the head of a typical rib have and how do they articulate with the vertebra?

A

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)

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13
Q

What does the neck of a typical rib connect?

A

Head with body at the level of the tubercle

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14
Q

Where is the tubercle of a typical rib and which parts compose its articular cavity?

A

At the junction of neck and body
- It has a smooth articular part and a rough nonarticular part

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15
Q

What attaches to or articulates with the articular and nonarticular part of the tubercle of rib?

A

Articular: for articulating with corresponding transverse process (synovial)
Nonarticular: fibrous attachment to process through costotransverse ligament

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16
Q

What are the two structural features of the body of the rib?

A

Angle: where the rib begins to turn anterolaterally
Costal groove: concavity on the inferior edge that runs along the internal surface of the body

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17
Q

Which are the atypical ribs?

A

1st, 2nd, 10 - 12th

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18
Q

What are the characteristics of the 1º rib?

A
  • 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
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19
Q

What are the characteristics of the 2º rib?

A
  • Thinner and more typical
  • Formations for attachment of serratus anterior and posterior scalene muscles
  • Almost twice length of 1st
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20
Q

Which ribs have only 1 facet on their heads?

A

10-12th and 1st

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21
Q

Which ribs have no necks or tubercles?

A

11th and 12th

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22
Q

What are the costal cartilages?

A

Bars of hyaline cartilage that prolong ribs anteriorly and contribute to elasticity of thoracic wall

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23
Q

What is the sternum?

A

Flat, vertically elongated bone that forms the middle of the anterior part of the thoracic cage

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24
Q

Which parts constitute the sternum?

A

Manubrium, body, and xiphoid process

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25
Q

What is the manubrium?

A

Superior part of sternum with a roughly trapezoidal shape

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26
Q

Where is the manubrium of the sternum?

A

Lies at the level of T3 and T4

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27
Q

What is the jugular notch?

A

Central indentation in superior border of the manubrium of the sternum

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28
Q

Where are the clavicular notches?

A

Indentations on each side of the jugular notch that articulate with sternal end of clavicle

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29
Q

What is the sternal angle and where is it located?

A

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

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30
Q

What is the body of the sternum?

A

Inferior continuation of the manubrium; longer, narrower, and thinner than the manubrium, with a variable width

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31
Q

Where is the body of the sternum and what main structural feature does it have?

A

At the level of T5-9 vertebral level
-Costal notches: located on the lateral borders of the body for articulation with the costal cartilages

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32
Q

What is the xiphoid process?

A

Small elongated inferior projection of the body of the sternum

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33
Q

Where is the xiphoid process located?

A

At the level of T10

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34
Q

What is the thorax?

A

Superior part of the trunk between the neck and abdomen

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35
Q

What is the thoracic cavity?

A

Structure surrounded by the thoracic wall; contains the heart, lungs, thymus, distal part of trachea, and most of esophagus

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36
Q

What are the functions of the thoracic wall?

A
  • 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
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37
Q

What is the thoracic cage made out of?

A
  • 12 pairs of ribs and costal cartilages
  • 12 thoracic vertebrae + IV discs
  • Sternum
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38
Q

What are the intercostal spaces?

A

Openings between ribs, that separate ribs and their costal cartilages from one another
- There are 11 of these

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39
Q

Where is the subcostal space?

A

Below 12th rib

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40
Q

How many intercostal nerves does the thoracic wall have and where are these?

A

11; located at the intercostal spaces (# intercostal nerve = # intercostal space)

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41
Q

What is the subcostal nerve?

A

Nerve located at the subcostal space, made of the anterior ramus of the spinal nerve T12

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42
Q

Name all the joints that can be found on the thoracic wall

A
  1. Intervertebral
  2. Costovertebral
  3. Costotransverse
  4. Sternocostal
  5. Sternoclavicular
  6. Costochondral
  7. Interchondral
  8. Manubriosternal
  9. Xiphisternal
43
Q

Which structures articulate at the “intervertebral joints” of the thoracic wall?

A

Adjacent vertebral bodies bound together by an intervertebral disc

44
Q

What type of joint are the “intervertebral joints” of the thoracic wall?

A

Symphysis (secondary cartilaginous joint)

45
Q

Which ligaments are involved on the “intervertebral joints” of the thoracic wall and what is their function?

A

Anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
Function:
- ALL: limit extension
- PLL: limit flexion

46
Q

Which structures articulate at the “costovertebral joints” of head of ribs of the thoracic wall?

A

Head of each rib with
- Superior demifacet or costal facet of corresponding vertebral body
- Inferior demifacet or costal facet of vertebral body superior to it

47
Q

What type of joint are the “costovertebral joints” of head of ribs joints of the thoracic wall?

A

Synovial plane joint

48
Q

Which ligaments are involved in the “costovertebral joints” of head of ribs of the thoracic wall and what are their functions?

A

Radiate and intra-articular ligaments
Function:
- Radiate: limits elevation and depression of ribs
- Intra-articular: stabilize head of the rib on the costal facet

49
Q

Which structures articulate at the “costotransverse joints” of the thoracic wall?

A

Tubercle of the rib with transverse process of corresponding vertebra

50
Q

What type of joint are the “costotransverse joints” of the thoracic wall?

A

Synovial plane joint

51
Q

Which ligaments are involved in the “costotansverse joints” of the thoracic wall and what are their functions?

A

Lateral and superior costotransverse:

52
Q

Which structures articulate at the “sternocostal joints” of the thoracic wall?

A
  • Articulation of 1st costal cartilages w/manubrium of sternum
  • Articulation of 2nd-7th pairs of costal cartilages w/sternum
53
Q

What type of joints are the “sternocostal joints” of the thoracic wall?

A

1st: synchondroses (primary cartilaginous joint)
2nx-7th: synovial plane joints

54
Q

Which ligaments are involved in the “sternocostal joints” of the thoracic wall and what are their functions?

A

Anterior and posterior radiate sternocostal:

55
Q

Which structures articulate at the “sternoclavicular joints” of the thoracic wall?

A

Sternal end of clavicle with manubrium and 1st costal cartilage

56
Q

What type of joint are the “sternoclavicular joints” of the thoracic wall?

A

Synovial saddle joint

57
Q

Which ligaments are involved in the “sternoclavicular joints” of the thoracic wall and what are their functions?

A
  • Anterior and posterior sternoclavicular ligaments
  • Costoclavicular ligament
58
Q

Which structures articulate at the “costochondral joints” of the thoracic wall?

A

Lateral end of costal cartilage with sternal end of rib

59
Q

What type of joint are the “costochondral joints” of the thoracic wall?

A

Synchondroses (primary cartilaginous joint)

60
Q

Which ligaments are involved in the “costochondral joints” of the thoracic wall and what are their functions?

A

Cartilage and bone; bound together by periosteum

61
Q

Which structures articulate at the “interchondral joints” of the thoracic wall?

A

Between costal cartilages of the following ribs:
- 6th-7th
-7th-8th
- 8th-9th

62
Q

Which ligaments are involved in the “interchondral joints” of the thoracic wall and what are their functions?

A

Interchondral ligaments

63
Q

What type of joint are the “interchondral joints” of the thoracic wall?

A

Synovial plane joint

64
Q

Which structures articulate at the “manubriosternal joint” of the thoracic wall?

A

Manubrium and body of sternum

65
Q

What type of joint is the “manubriosternal joint” of the thoracic wall?

A

Symphysis (secondary cartilaginous joint)

66
Q

Which structures articulate at the “xiphisternal joint” of the thoracic wall?

A

Xiphoid process and body of sternum

67
Q

What type of joint is the xiphisternal joint of the thoracic wall?

A

Synchondrosis (primary cartilaginous joint)

68
Q

Movements of the thoracic wall

A
69
Q

Characteristics of the vertical dimension of the thoracic wall during inspiration

A

Increases, as the contracting diaphragm descends, compressing abdominal viscera

70
Q

Characteristics of the anteroposterior dimension of the thoracic wall during inspiration

A

Increases considerably when intercostal muscles contract; movement of upper ribs at costovertebral joints, causes anterior ends of ribs and sternum (especially inferior end) to move anteriorly

71
Q

Characteristics of the transverse dimension of the thoracic wall during inspiration

A

Increase slightly when intercostal muscles contract, raising the most lateral parts of the ribs (especially the most inferior ones)

72
Q

Characteristics of the vertical dimension of the thoracic wall during expiration

A

Returns to neutral position, as the diaphragm ascends by decompressing the viscera

73
Q

Characteristics of the anteriposterior dimension of the thoracic wall during expiration

A

Decreases when intercostal musclesrelax; movement of upper ribs at costovertebral joints, causes anterior ends of ribs and sternum (especially inferior end) to move posteriorly

74
Q

Characteristics of the transverse dimension of the thoracic wall during expiration

A

Decreases slightly when intercostal muscles relax, depressing the most lateral parts of the ribs (especially the most inferior ones)

75
Q

How does intrathoracic pressure change throughout respiration?

A

Inspiration: pressure decreases by increasing intrathoracic volume (diaphragm depresses), resulting in air being drawn into the lungs
Expiration: pressure increases by decreasing intrathoracic volume (diaphragm elevates), resulting in air being expelled

76
Q

How many layers of muscle do the intercostal spaces contain? Which are these?

A

Three layers of intercostal muscles
Superficial: formed by “external intercostal” (fibers oriented infero-anteriorly)
Medial: formed by “internal intercostal” (fibers oriented inferoposteriorly)
Deep: “innermost intercostal” (only found at most lateral parts of intercostal spaces)

77
Q

Anteriorly, the external intercostal muscles are replaced by…

A

External intercostal membranes

78
Q

Posteriorly, the internal intercostal muscles are replaced by…

A

Internal intercostal membranes

79
Q

What is the origin of the external, internal, and innermost intercostal muscles?

A

Inferior border of ribs

80
Q

What is the insertion of the externa, internal, and innermost intercostal muscles?

A

Superior border of ribs below

81
Q

What is the innervation of the external, internal, and innermost intercostal muscles?

A

Intercostal nerves

82
Q

What is the main action of the external intercostal muscles?

A

During forced inspiration: elevate ribs

83
Q

What is the main action of the internal intercostal muscles?

A

During forced inspiration
- Interosseous part: depresses ribs
- Interchondral part: elevates ribs

84
Q

What is the origin of the transversus thoracis muscles?

A

Posterior surface of lower sternum

84
Q

What is the insertion of the transversus thoracis muslces?

A

Internal surface of costal cartilages 2-6

84
Q

What is the innervation of the transversus thoracis muscles

A

Intercostal nerves

85
Q

What is the main function of transversus thoracis muscles?

A

Weakly depresses ribs

86
Q

What is the origin of subcostal muscles?

A

Internal surface of lower ribs near their angles

87
Q

What is the insertion of subcostal muscles?

A

Superior border of 2nd or 3rd ribs below

88
Q

What is the innervation of subcostal muscles?

A

Intercostal nerves

89
Q

What is the main action of subcostal muscles?

A

Probably acts in same manner as internal intercostal muscles

90
Q

What is the origin of levatores costarum?

A

Transverse processes of C7-11

91
Q

What is the insertion of levatores costarum?

A

Subadjacent ribs between tubercle and angle

92
Q

What is the innervation of levatores costarum?

A

Posterior rami of C8-T11 nerves

93
Q

What is the main action of levatores costarum?

A

Elevate ribs

94
Q

What is the origin of serratus posterior superior?

A

Nuchal ligament, spinous processes of C7-T3

95
Q

What is the insertion of the serratus posterior superior?

A

Superior borders of 2nd-4th ribs

96
Q

What is the innervation of serratus posterior superior?

A

2nd-5th intercostal nerves

97
Q

What is the main action of serratus posterior superior?

A

Elevate ribs

98
Q

What is the origin of the serratus posterior inferior?

A

Inferior borders of 8th-12th ribs near their angles

99
Q

What is the insertion of the serratus posterior inferior?

A

Spinous processes of T11-L2

100
Q

What is the innervation of serratus posterior inferior?

A

9th-11th intercostal nerves, subcostal nerve

101
Q

What is the main action of the serratus posterior inferior?

A

Depresses ribs