Thorax 3 part 1

Question 1

What are the compartments of the thoracic cavity

Answer 1

▪ a left and a right pleural cavity, each surrounding a lung, and
▪ the mediastinum.

Question 2

What is the mediastinum

Answer 2

thick, flexible soft tissue partition oriented longitudinally in a median sagittal position.

Question 3

What does mediastinum contain

Answer 3

heart

esophagus,

trachea,

major nerves,

major systemic blood vessels.

Question 4

Why do abnormal events in one pleural cavity not affected the other plural cavity

Answer 4

The pleural cavities are completely separated from each other by the mediastinum. Therefore abnormal events in one pleural cavity do not necessarily affect the other cavity. This also means that the mediastinum can be entered surgically without opening the pleural cavities

Question 5

What are the important features of the plural cavity

Answer 5

The pleural cavities are completely separated from each other by the mediastinum

The pleural cavities extend above the level of rib I. The apex of each lung actually extends into the root of the neck.

Question 6

What is the importance of the pleural cavities extending above the level of rib I

Answer 6

abnormal events in the root of the neck can involve the adjacent pleura and lung, and events in the adjacent pleura and lung can involve the root of the neck.

Question 7

What are functions of the thorax

Answer 7

Breathing
Protection of vital organs
Conduit

Question 8

What abdominal organs are in contact with the diaphragm

Answer 8

Much of the liver lies under the right dome of the diaphragm

the stomach and spleen lie under the left.

The posterior aspects of the superior poles of the kidneys lie on the diaphragm and are anterior to rib XII, on the right, and to ribs XI and XII, on the left.

Question 9

What are the structures that pass through the mediastinum (conduit)

Answer 9

esophagus, vagus nerves, and thoracic duct

The phrenic nerves, which originate in the neck, also pass through the mediastinum to penetrate and supply the diaphragm.

Other structures such as the trachea, thoracic aorta, and superior vena cava course within the mediastinum en route to and from major visceral organs in the thorax.

Question 10

What is the posterior border of the thoracic wall

Answer 10

Posteriorly, it is made up of twelve thoracic vertebrae and their intervening intervertebral discs;

Question 11

What is the lateral border of the thoracic wall

Answer 11

Laterally, the wall is formed by ribs (twelve on each side) and three layers of flat muscles, which span the intercostal spaces between adjacent ribs, move the ribs, and provide support for the intercostal spaces

Question 12

What is the anteriorl border of the thoracic wall

Answer 12

Anteriorly, the wall is made up of the sternum , which consists of the manubrium of the sternum, body of the sternum, and xiphoid process.

Question 13

which is a major surface landmark used by clinicians in performing physical examinations of the thorax

Answer 13

Sternal angle. The manubrium of the sternum, angled posteriorly on the body of the sternum at the manubriosternal joint, forms the sternal angle

Question 14

How many articulation point son the ribs with the vertebrae?

Answer 14

All ribs articulate with thoracic vertebrae posteriorly. Most ribs (from rib II to IX) have three articulations with the vertebral column.
The head of each rib articulates with the body of its own vertebra
with the body of the vertebra above
As these ribs curve posteriorly, each also articulates with the transverse process of its vertebra.

Question 15

What do the costal cartilages of ribs I to VII articulate with anteriorly

Answer 15

Anteriorly, the costal cartilages of ribs I to VII articulate with the sternum.

Question 16

What do the costal cartilages of ribs VIII to X articulate with anteriorly

Answer 16

The costal cartilages of ribs VIII to X articulate with the inferior margins of the costal cartilages above them

Question 17

Why are ribs XI and XII are called floating ribs

Answer 17

because they do not articulate with other ribs, costal cartilages, or the sternum. Their costal cartilages are small, only covering their tips.

Question 18

What does the superior thoracic aperture consist of

Answer 18

the superior thoracic aperture consists of
the body of vertebra TI posteriorly,
the medial margin of rib I on each side,
and the manubrium anteriorly.

Question 19

Where is the superior margin of the manubrium

Answer 19

approximately the same horizontal plane as the intervertebral disc between vertebrae TII and TIII.

At the superior thoracic aperture, the superior aspects of the pleural cavities, which surround the lungs, lie on either side of the entrance to the mediastinum

Question 20

why is the plane of the superior thoracic aperture is at an oblique angle, facing somewhat anteriorly.

Answer 20

the plane of the superior thoracic aperture is at an oblique angle, facing somewhat anteriorly.

Question 21

Where do structures between the upper limb and thorax pass over as the enter and leave the mediastinum

Answer 21

Structures that pass between the upper limb and thorax pass over rib I and the superior part of the pleural cavity as they enter and leave the mediastinum.

Answer 22

Structures that pass between the neck and head and the thorax pass more vertically through the superior thoracic aperture