Thorax

Question 1

3 key functions of the thorax

Answer 1

1. breathing
2. protection (to heart, lungs, vessels)
3. conduit (structures pass through it)

Question 2

if the thorax is thought to be a cylinder. what is the space called looking into the thorax/ cylinder

Answer 2

the thoracic cavity

Question 3

the thoracic cavity is divided into…

Answer 3

the right pleural cavity (surrounding the right lung)
mediastinum
the left pleural cavity (surrounding the left lung)

Question 4

what lies on the posterior portion of thoracic cage

Answer 4

the 12 thoracic vertebrae

Question 5

what lines on the anterior portion of the thoracic cage

Answer 5

the sternum

costal cartilages

Question 6

the sternum is made up of 3 structures. what are they

Answer 6

the manubrium of sternum
the body of sternum
the xiphoid process

Question 7

what clinical landmark does the sternal angle mark

Answer 7

the point at which costal cartilage of rib 2 joins with the sternum

Question 8

what are the typical features of thoracic vertebra

Answer 8

superior articular process 
transverse process 
spinous process 
body of vertebra - heart shaped 
demi- facet for rib head 
inferior articular process

Question 9

which costal cartilages articulate with the sternum

Answer 9

the costal cartilages of ribs 1-VII (7)

Question 10

which costal cartilages articulate with the costal cartilage above

Answer 10

the costal cartilages of ribs 8-10 (viii-x)

Question 11

2 functions of the costal cartilages

Answer 11

1. mobility to thorax

2. elasticity to thorax

Question 12

may be typical or a-typical. which ribs are typical ribs

Answer 12

ribs 3-9

Question 13

which ribs are atypical

Answer 13

ribs 1, 2, 10, 11, 12

Question 14

what happens to cartilage as we get older

Answer 14

gets calcified

Question 15

the thoracic cavity is subdivided into…

Answer 15

right pleural cavity
mediastinum
left pleural cavity

Question 16

each pleural cavity has 2 layers of a mesothelial membrane called pleura. what are the 2 pleura called…

Answer 16

visceral pleura

parietal pleura

Question 17

the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity is divided further into…

Answer 17

superior mediastinum

inferior mediastinum- both divided by the sternal angle (horizontal/ transverse plane)

Question 18

the inferior region of the mediastinum if further divided into…

Answer 18

anterior mediastinum
middle
posterior

Question 19

what structures are found in the superior mediastinum

Answer 19

aorta, pulomnary trunk, superior vena cava
thymus
trachea 
oesophagus 
vagus nerve
phrenic nerves
left recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve
thoracic duct

Question 20

what is the function of thymus in children

Answer 20

develop T-cells

shrinks with age

Question 21

what is found in the middle mediastinum

Answer 21

heart
pericardium
- pulmonary trunk, ascending aorta, terminal part of superior vena cava
- the 2 bronchi

Question 22

what is found in the posterior mediastinum

Answer 22

thoracic aorta and its branches 
oesophagus 
thoracic duct 
azygous/ hemi-azygous veins
lymph nodes
thoracic splanchnic nerves 
sympathetic trunks

Question 23

function of the azygous vein

Answer 23

transport DE-oxygenated blood into the superior vena cava

Question 24

what is the pericardium

Answer 24

a fibrous outer layer

2 serous inner layers enclosing the hear

Question 25

when the heart is seen in-sit, which chamber of the heart cannot be seen

Answer 25

left atrium

Question 26

what 3 branches arise from the aortic arch

Answer 26

1. brachiocephalic artery 2. left common carotid artery 3. left subclavian artery

Question 27

the right and left lungs both have lobes. what are they

Answer 27

superior and inferior lobes

Question 28

what fissure divides the superior and inferior lobes of the right and left lungs

Answer 28

the oblique fissure

Question 29

the right lobe has an extra 3rd lobe. what is it

Answer 29

the middle lobe

Question 30

what fissure causes the middle lobe in the right lung

Answer 30

horizontal fissure

Question 31

compare the sizes of the left lung to the right lung

Answer 31

left lung is smaller and narrower | left lung has a cardiac notch on lateral view

Question 32

the pulmonary arteries deliver...

Answer 32

de-oxygenated blood to the lungs

Question 33

the pulmonary veins deliver

Answer 33

oxygenated blood to the left atrium

Question 34

what and where is the hilum of the lung

Answer 34

on the medial surface of the lung next to the heart it is where the blood vessels enter and exist the lung where the primary bronchus enters the lung

Question 35

the inferior aspect of the hilum has a structure called..

Answer 35

the pulmonary ligament | - where the visceral and parietal pleura meet

Question 36

what structures are found on the hilum of the lung

Answer 36

1. the pulmonary artery (de-oxygenated blood) 2. primary bronchus (which divides into the secondary bronchi) 3. pulmonary veins (oxygenated blood) 4. pulmonary ligament