Thorax Flashcards
What is within the thorax region?
- Sternum
- Costal cartilages
- Ribs
- Thoracic vertebrae
How many compartments does the thorax have?
3
- Right & Left Pleural cavities
- Mediastinum
How many parts is the mediastinum?
4
- Super, middle, anterior, posterior mediastinum
What are the great blood vessels in the thorax?
- Vena cava (superior & inferior)
- Pulmonary trunk (becomes L + R pulmonary artery)
- Pulmonary veins
- Aorta
Functions of L&R Jugular, Subclavian, Brachiocephalic veins?
Jugular - returns blood from head & neck
Subclavian - returns blood from arms
Brachiocephalic - L/R Jugular/Subclavian veins join to respective L/R Brachiocephalic vein
Functions of L+R common carotid and subclavian artery?
Common carotid: takes blood into head & neck
Subclavian - Take blood into arms
What arteries are connected to the Brachiocephalic trunk and why?
Takes blood to R subclavian & R common carotid ONLY
as heart is left side, there is no R&L brachiocephalic artery
What branch of artery does the L Common carotid & L Subclavian artery come off?
Aorta.
NOT brachiocephalic. Heart on left side
What is the diaphragm and what shape is it?
The diaphragm is a thin SKELETAL muscle that sits on the base of the chest separating the abdomen from the chest
Dome shaped
What nerve supplies the diaphragm?
Phrenic nerve (Cervical Nerve 3,4,5) - Contains motor & sensory fibres
“C3, 4, 5 keep the diaphragm alive”
What happens to the diaphragm on inspiration/inhalation?
Diaphragm contracts flattening itself to increase the thoracic capacity which creates a vacuum sucking in air to fill the lungs with
What happens to the diaphragm on expiration/exhalation?
Diaphragm relaxes expanding itself again returning to its original shape forcing air out of the lungs
