Thorax Flashcards by Max Duckworth

How many ribs do we have?

12 sets or 24 ribs

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How many ribs connect directly to the sternum?

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How do ribs 8,9 and 10 connect?

They all connect to the costal cartilage of rib 7.

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What are ribs 11 and 12 called?

Floating ribs as they have no anterior connection.

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What is the costal cartilage?

It connects the ribs to the sternum

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What are the 3 parts of the sternum called?

Top= Manubrium
middle= body
Bottom= Xiphoid process

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What is the space between ribs called?

Intercostal spaces

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What part of the spine articulates with ribs?

The thoracic region. Each thoracic vertebrae joins with a rib.

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What regions does the diaphragm separate?

Separates the Thorax from the abdomen

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What type of bone are ribs? Function?

Flat bones.

Protection of vital organs (e.g. heart and lungs)

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What parts do typical ribs have? Which ribs are typical ribs?

Ribs 3-9.

Head of rib- Has two facets to join with ribs above and below
Neck of rib.
Tubercle- At the junction between the neck and shaft. Articulates with other rib.
Body (Shaft)

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What is the costal groove on a typical rib?

This protects the intercostal nerve and vessels

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What are atypical ribs?

These are ribs 1,2,10,11,12 that have a different structure.

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What is the role of costal cartilages?

They serve to prolong the ribs and contribute to the elasticity of the ribs.

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What is the pleural cavity?

The space surrounded by the pleura that is not occupied by the lungs

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What is the pericardial cavity?

Pericardium surrounds the heart and the pericardial cavity is the space that the heart does not occupy.

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Explain how the layers of the pericardium work?

The heart sits inside the pericardium which helps it to function properly. The inner layer is called the visceral layer and the outer layer is called the parietal layer and both layers are connected.

What is the mediastinum?

Everything in the thorax except the lungs and pleura. Includes your heart and other important vessels.

What happens during expiration?

Diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax which causes diaphragm to form dome shape which decreases volume in thoracic cavity which forces air out.

What happens during inspiration?

Diaphragm and Intercostal muscles contract which forces diaphragm down (and flattens) which increases volume in thorax so air rushes into the lungs.

What is the clinical importance of the sternal angle?

Marks the point at which the costal cartilages of the second rib, articulates with the sternum.

What are the parts of the mediastinum?

Superior
Inferior- Anterior, Middle (Heart and Pericardium) and Posterior

Where is the heart located?

Behind sternum
Between 2nd and 6th ribs
Between T5-T8

Where is the apex of the heart located?

At the 5th intercostal space on the left mid-clavicular line

What are auscultatory sites?

These are valve sites where you can listen to the heart

What are the two layers of the pericardium called?

Fibrous Serous- Contains parietal and visceral layers which is filled with pericardial fluid which decreases friction in the heart.

Can you see the left atrium from an anterior view of the heart?

No as it is located at the back

What are 2 examples of asymmetry in the first part of the aorta?

1. No brachiocephalic artery on left side of aorta (Both Left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery branch off directly from the aorta). 2. Left and right coronary arteries branch off from the ascending aorta but not from the descending aorta.

What is the pathway of veins from the neck to the Right atrium?

Right/Left Internal jugular vein Right/Left subclavian vein Right/Left brachiocephalic vein Superior vena cava Right atrium

What level does the left pleura deviate from the midline? Why?

4th rib. To accommodate the heart

At what number rib do both the left and right pleura lie at the midclavicular line?

8th rib

How many ribs above the bottom of the pleura do the lungs lie?

Describe the similarities and differences between the two lungs?

Both have an oblique fissure. Right only has a transverse fissure.

What is the hilum in the lungs?

This is where things are either entering or exiting the structure.

What is the arrangement of the pulmonary vein, bronchus and pulmonary artery in the hilum of the lungs on either side?

Right= RBS- Right bronchus superior, followed by artery, followed by vein Left= Artery is superior, followed by bronchus, followed by vein. Vein is inferior on both sides

Why do you lie the person on their left side in the recovery position?

This is due to the arrangement of the left and right bronchus in the body. The right bronchus is wider and more vertical while the left is narrower and more angular. Therefore, fluid is less likely to drain into the left side hence why patients are placed on there left side.

What view is a chest x ray usually taken? Why may it be different?

Posterior to Anterior (PA)- as the lungs are better exposed from the back. AP (Anterior to Posterior) view when the person is unable to stand.

What is the Costo-phrenic angle?

This is the point at which the chest wall and diaphragm meet

What are the 2 lymphatic ducts called?

The right lymphatic duct and the thoracic duct. They both join to subclavian arteries that then join to the superior vena cava.

What shape is the cartilage in the trachea? Why? What type of cartilage is it?

C-Shaped. So the trachea can collapse slightly (narrow) so food can pass down the oesophagus after swallowing. It is hyaline cartilage