thorax and breathing

Question 1

what are the parts of the thorax?

Answer 1

Sternum
Costal cartilages
Ribs
Thoracic vertebrae
Structures they enclose

Question 2

what are the names for the top and bottom parts of the thorax?

Answer 2

superior thoracic aperture- top
inferior thoracic aperture- bottom

Question 3

where is the superior thoracic aperture found?

Answer 3

at the root of the neck, in continuity with the neck

Question 4

what happens around the superior thoracic aperture?

Answer 4

blood vessels pass from chest to head and neck (and vice versa)
also where nerves pass to and from the brain

Question 5

where are the lungs found?

Answer 5

the right and left pleural cavities

Question 6

what lies between the right and left pleural cavities?

Answer 6

the mediastinum

Question 7

what is the jugular notch and what could it indicate?

Answer 7

• located at the center of the superior border of the manubrium of sternum
• includes the deviation
• could indicate pathology in the lungs/lung field. Eg collapse, or fluid

Question 8

what are pectoral girdle?

Answer 8

bones which connect to the arm on each side – this is the clavicle (collar bone) and the scapula (shoulder blade)

Question 9

where is the sternal angle?

Answer 9

• in line with 2nd rib, on the sternum

Question 10

what is the sternal angle useful for clinically?

Answer 10

counting ribs inferiorly and laterally for chest drain insertion, for patient’s with pneumothorax or fluid (effusion)

Question 11

what is the costochondral joint?

Answer 11

the joint between the costal cartilage and ribs

Question 12

what is the collective name for ribs 1-7?

Answer 12

true ribs

Question 13

what is similar with all true ribs?

Answer 13

their costal cartilage links directly to the sternum

Question 14

what is the collective name for ribs 8-10?

Answer 14

false ribs

Question 15

what is similar for all false ribs?

Answer 15

their costal cartilage is attached to the cartilage of the rib above

Question 16

what is the collective name for ribs 11 and 12?

Answer 16

floating ribs (vertebral ribs)

Question 17

what is similar for both floating ?

Answer 17

their costal cartilages terminate within the musculature of the lateral abdominal wall

Question 18

what is the intercostal space?

Answer 18

space between ribs

Question 19

what are invertebral discs?

Answer 19

between the vertebrae

Question 20

what is the mediastinum?

Answer 20

the central component of the thoracic cavity, surrounded by the left and right pleural sacs

Question 21

what are the sections of the mediastinum?

Answer 21

• superior
• inferior (anterior, middle and posterior)

Question 22

what are the limits of the superior mediastinum?

Answer 22

• top limit is the 1st thoracic vertebrae
• bottom limit is the sternal angle

Question 23

what makes up the anterior mediastinum?

Answer 23

fat and thymus

Question 24

what makes up the middle mediastinum?

Answer 24

heart

Question 25

what makes up the posterior mediastinum?

Answer 25

aorta and oesophagus

Question 26

what arteries supply the head and neck with blood?

Answer 26

common carotid arteries

Question 27

what are the branches of the common carotid artery?

Answer 27

• internal carotid artery (supplies 80% of brain’s blood)
• external carotid artery (supplies face tongue and head external to brain)

Question 28

what veins drain the head (including the brain)?

Answer 28

right and left internal jugular veins, to join the right and left subclavian veins (which drain the limbs), to join the brachiocephalic veins which unite to from the superior vena cava

Question 29

what is the longus colli?

Answer 29

paired muscle found on the anterior vertebral column. One results in contralateral contraction and both contracting results in neck flexion (bending forward)

Question 30

what is the biggest lymphatic vessel in the body?

Answer 30

the thoratic duct (drianage)

Question 31

where does the sympathetic trunk arise?

Answer 31

from 1st thoracic to 2nd lower lumbar

Question 32

what is the function of the sympathetic trunk?

Answer 32

Fight or flight system – increases heart rate, increases breathing and takes away blood from the gut.

Question 33

what is the main artery of the body?

Answer 33

aorta

Question 34

what is the function of the left vagus nerve?

Answer 34

”rest and digest” nerve – increases gut motility, reduces heart rate and breathing rate.

Question 35

where is the hemiazygos vein?

Answer 35

comes from the left lumbar ascending vein, under ribs, and drains to the azygous vein

Question 36

what is the function of the hemiazygous vein?

Answer 36

drains from the posterior trunk, muscles and skin

Question 37

which vein courses through the posterior mediastinum, receiving tributaries along the way?

Answer 37

the accessory hemiazygous vein

Question 38

what is the greater splanchnic nerve?

Answer 38

paired visceral nerves carrying autonomic and sensory fibres from internal organs (abdominal organs). All carry sympathetic nerves.
– highest and largest positions of the threes nerves and receives T5-8.

Question 39

what kind of structure is the diaphragm?

Answer 39

musculotendinous

Question 40

why is the muscle beside the diaphragm higher on the right than the left?

Answer 40

due to the liver underneath

Question 41

what type of muscle is the diaphragm?

Answer 41

skeletal

Question 42

which nerve supplies the diaphragm?

Answer 42

phrenic (contains motor and sensory fibres)
C3,4,5

Question 43

describe the function of the diaphragm

Answer 43

On inspiration, the muscle flattens to increase the capacity of the thoracic cavity
On expiration, the diaphragm returns to its ‘dome’ shape

Question 44

Costodiaphragmatic recess

Answer 44

larger of recesses found between the costal and diaphragmatic pleura of right and left pleural cavities. Provide space for the lungs to fill, but also fluid can accumulate in these