Thorax Flashcards
True ribs
Attach directly to sternum
1st-7th ribs
False ribs
Indirect attachment to sternum (cartilages are connected to cartilage of the rib above them)
8th, 9th, usually 10th ribs
Floating ribs
Do not connect to sternum
11th, 12th (sometimes 10th) ribs
Typical ribs and their components
3rd-9th ribs
- Head (2 facets to articulate with 2 vertebrae)
- Neck
- Tubercle (articulates with TP)
- Body
Atypical ribs and their components
1st, 2nd, 10th-12th ribs
Head (1 facet, single vertebra)
Intercostal spaces
Separate the ribs and their costal cartilages from one another
Named according to rib forming superior border of the space
(4th intercostal space is between 4th and 5th ribs)
Space below 12th rib
Subcostal space
Parts of the sternum
Manubrium
Body
Xiphoid process
Manubrium
Trapezoidal
Widest, thickest part of sternum
Jugular notch
Concave center of superior border of manubrium
Manubriosternal joint
Junction of manubrium and the body of the sternum
Sternal angle
Sternal angle (of Louis)
Manubriosternal joint
Body of sternum
Longer, narrower, thinner than manubrium
Located T5-T9 level
Xiphoid process
Smallest part of sternum
Thin and elongated
Inferior end lies at T10
Becomes ossified around age 40
May fuse with sternal body in elderly
Superior thoracic aperture
Borders: T1 to top of manubrium to 1st pair of ribs
Contents: esophagus, trachea, nerves & BV supply the head, neck and UE
Inferior thoracic aperture
Borders: T12 to 11-12th ribs, costal margins of 7-10th ribs, xiphisternal joint
Content: allows esophagus/IVC/aorta to pass inferior to abdominal cavity
Much more spacious than superior
Costovertebral joints
Posterior thorax
Rib articulation with vertebral body
Costotransverse joints
Posterior thorax
Rib articulation with TP
Intervertebral joints
Posterior thorax
Disc and facets
Costochondral joints
Anterior thorax
Rib articulation with chondral cartilage
Sternocostal joints
Anterior thorax
Costal cartilage and sternum
Sternoclavicular joints
Anterior thorax
Sternum and clavicle
Interchondral joints
Anterior thorax
“Articulation” between costal cartilages of lower ribs
Xiphosternal joint
Xiphoid and sternum
Inspiration
“Bucket handle” motion of ribs
Increase in AP and lateral diameter as well as length
Inspiration is controlled by (at rest, exercise, extreme exercise)
Rest - diaphragm
Exercise - diaphragm + external intercostals
Extreme exercise - accessory muscles (SCM & scalenes) on top of the normal controllers
Expiration is controlled by (at rest, exercise)
Rest - elastic recoil of lungs
Exercise - internal intercostals, abdominal muscles (rectus abdominus, int/ext obliques)
External intercostals action
Inspiration
Internal intercostals action
Expiration
Innermost intercostals
Elevate ribs? Not completely understood
Transversus thoracis location and action
Location: internal anterior thoracic cage
Action: expiration (depresses ribs)
Subcostal muscles location and action
Location: internal posterior thoracic cage
Action: inspiration (elevate ribs)
Levator costarum location and action
Location: external posterior attach to ribs and TP
Action: Inspiration (elevate ribs)
Serratus posterior superior action
Inspiration (elevates the ribs)
Serratus posterior inferior action
Expiration (depresses ribs)
Diaphragm innervation, action
Innervation: phrenic nerve (C3-C5)
Action: inspiration
Regions of diaphragm
Sternal
Costal
Lumbar
Intercostal nerves pathway
- 12 thoracic spinal nerves exit spinal IVF
- Each nerve branches into anterior and posterior rami
- Anterior rami supplies intercostal spaces
VAN
Each intercostal space has a bundle of vein, artery, nerve
Three major sources of circulation to thoracic wall
Thoracic aorta
Axillary artery
Subclavian artery
Branches of thoracic aorta
Posterior intercostal arteries
Subcostal artery
Posterior intercostal arteries supply
3rd-11th intercostal spaces
Subcostal artery supplies
Inferior to 12th rib
Thoracic branch of subclavian artery
Costocervical trunk
Costocervical trunk
Superior thoracic arteries branch off to supply the 1st-2nd intercostal spaces
Superior thoracic artery
Branches off of costocervical trunk of subclavian artery