Podcast
Questions and Answers
What shape is the thorax described as in the content?
What shape is the thorax described as in the content?
Which ribs are classified as true vertebro-sternal ribs?
Which ribs are classified as true vertebro-sternal ribs?
Which structure serves as a landmark located at the upper part of the sternum?
Which structure serves as a landmark located at the upper part of the sternum?
What is the main distinction of atypical ribs compared to typical ribs?
What is the main distinction of atypical ribs compared to typical ribs?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes the location of the thoracic apertures?
Which of the following best describes the location of the thoracic apertures?
Signup and view all the answers
What anatomical structures do the 11th and 12th ribs primarily form?
What anatomical structures do the 11th and 12th ribs primarily form?
Signup and view all the answers
Which rib only articulates with the T1 vertebra?
Which rib only articulates with the T1 vertebra?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a joint associated with the thoracic skeleton?
Which of the following is NOT a joint associated with the thoracic skeleton?
Signup and view all the answers
Which muscles are classified as true muscles of the thoracic wall?
Which muscles are classified as true muscles of the thoracic wall?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the anterior boundary of the inferior thoracic outlet?
What is the anterior boundary of the inferior thoracic outlet?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main function of the external intercostals?
What is the main function of the external intercostals?
Signup and view all the answers
Which nerve is associated with the first and second intercostal nerves?
Which nerve is associated with the first and second intercostal nerves?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of pain is predominantly experienced during a herpes zoster outbreak?
What type of pain is predominantly experienced during a herpes zoster outbreak?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main purpose of an intercostal nerve block?
What is the main purpose of an intercostal nerve block?
Signup and view all the answers
Which muscles run at right angles to the external intercostals?
Which muscles run at right angles to the external intercostals?
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of people may experience weakness from motor involvement due to herpes zoster?
What percentage of people may experience weakness from motor involvement due to herpes zoster?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when conduction through sensory nerves is blocked during an intercostal nerve block?
What happens when conduction through sensory nerves is blocked during an intercostal nerve block?
Signup and view all the answers
Which branches of the intercostal nerves provide sensory innervation to the thoracic wall?
Which branches of the intercostal nerves provide sensory innervation to the thoracic wall?
Signup and view all the answers
Which structures are included in the mediastinum?
Which structures are included in the mediastinum?
Signup and view all the answers
What occurs in the costodiaphragmatic recesses when the body is erect?
What occurs in the costodiaphragmatic recesses when the body is erect?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the correct anatomical position of the right oblique fissure?
What is the correct anatomical position of the right oblique fissure?
Signup and view all the answers
Which arteries are involved in supplying blood to the lungs?
Which arteries are involved in supplying blood to the lungs?
Signup and view all the answers
What anatomical feature is associated with the cardiac notch?
What anatomical feature is associated with the cardiac notch?
Signup and view all the answers
Where does complete loss of sensation typically occur?
Where does complete loss of sensation typically occur?
Signup and view all the answers
What does deviation of the trachea from midline indicate?
What does deviation of the trachea from midline indicate?
Signup and view all the answers
How many lobes does the left lung have?
How many lobes does the left lung have?
Signup and view all the answers
What distinguishes floating ribs from true vertebro-sternal ribs?
What distinguishes floating ribs from true vertebro-sternal ribs?
Signup and view all the answers
Which rib is considered atypical due to its unique features such as a single facet and grooves for subclavian vessels?
Which rib is considered atypical due to its unique features such as a single facet and grooves for subclavian vessels?
Signup and view all the answers
Which anatomical structure is included in the inferior mediastinum?
Which anatomical structure is included in the inferior mediastinum?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following correctly identifies the function of typical ribs (3rd-9th)?
Which of the following correctly identifies the function of typical ribs (3rd-9th)?
Signup and view all the answers
At what anatomical landmark would you find the sternal angle?
At what anatomical landmark would you find the sternal angle?
Signup and view all the answers
Which ribs do not have a neck or tubercle?
Which ribs do not have a neck or tubercle?
Signup and view all the answers
Which structure forms caps at the ends of the 11th and 12th ribs?
Which structure forms caps at the ends of the 11th and 12th ribs?
Signup and view all the answers
What supports the costal facets on the vertebrae bodies?
What supports the costal facets on the vertebrae bodies?
Signup and view all the answers
Which structure serves as the anterior border of the superior thoracic outlet?
Which structure serves as the anterior border of the superior thoracic outlet?
Signup and view all the answers
Which muscles are classified as accessory respiratory muscles?
Which muscles are classified as accessory respiratory muscles?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following correctly describes the types of ribs in the human body?
Which of the following correctly describes the types of ribs in the human body?
Signup and view all the answers
What anatomical feature is characterized by a single facet and two grooves for subclavian vessels?
What anatomical feature is characterized by a single facet and two grooves for subclavian vessels?
Signup and view all the answers
Among the following, which ribs are categorized as atypical?
Among the following, which ribs are categorized as atypical?
Signup and view all the answers
What feature primarily distinguishes typical ribs (3rd-9th) from atypical ribs?
What feature primarily distinguishes typical ribs (3rd-9th) from atypical ribs?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these anatomical landmarks is NOT associated with the thoracic cavity?
Which of these anatomical landmarks is NOT associated with the thoracic cavity?
Signup and view all the answers
Which structures are primarily involved in the formation of the inferior thoracic outlet?
Which structures are primarily involved in the formation of the inferior thoracic outlet?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of the costal cartilages associated with the true ribs?
What is the function of the costal cartilages associated with the true ribs?
Signup and view all the answers
Which joint is formed where the head of the rib articulates with the vertebrae?
Which joint is formed where the head of the rib articulates with the vertebrae?
Signup and view all the answers
What anatomical feature distinguishes the 11th and 12th ribs from typical ribs?
What anatomical feature distinguishes the 11th and 12th ribs from typical ribs?
Signup and view all the answers
Which muscle is classified under the true muscles of the thoracic wall?
Which muscle is classified under the true muscles of the thoracic wall?
Signup and view all the answers
Which structure is NOT contained within the mediastinum?
Which structure is NOT contained within the mediastinum?
Signup and view all the answers
What feature of the left lung is specifically associated with ensuring the heart fits within the thoracic cavity?
What feature of the left lung is specifically associated with ensuring the heart fits within the thoracic cavity?
Signup and view all the answers
Which arteries arise from the pulmonary trunk at the level of the sternal angle?
Which arteries arise from the pulmonary trunk at the level of the sternal angle?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following structures does NOT reflect the anatomy of the lungs during quiet respiration?
Which of the following structures does NOT reflect the anatomy of the lungs during quiet respiration?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of arteries supply blood specifically to the bronchial tissues?
What type of arteries supply blood specifically to the bronchial tissues?
Signup and view all the answers
In which area is pleural exudate most likely to accumulate when a person is erect?
In which area is pleural exudate most likely to accumulate when a person is erect?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following correctly identifies the number of lobes in the right lung?
Which of the following correctly identifies the number of lobes in the right lung?
Signup and view all the answers
What does deviation of the trachea from the midline typically signal?
What does deviation of the trachea from the midline typically signal?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of the external intercostals?
What is the primary function of the external intercostals?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes the pathway of the typical intercostal nerves?
Which of the following best describes the pathway of the typical intercostal nerves?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of pain is commonly associated with herpes zoster?
What type of pain is commonly associated with herpes zoster?
Signup and view all the answers
Which nerve contributes to the innervation of the medial side of the arm?
Which nerve contributes to the innervation of the medial side of the arm?
Signup and view all the answers
What occurs during an intercostal nerve block?
What occurs during an intercostal nerve block?
Signup and view all the answers
How are the fibers of the innermost intercostals aligned in relation to the external intercostals?
How are the fibers of the innermost intercostals aligned in relation to the external intercostals?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following nerves is characterized as atypical and serves multiple areas including the abdominal wall?
Which of the following nerves is characterized as atypical and serves multiple areas including the abdominal wall?
Signup and view all the answers
During a herpes zoster outbreak, what skin change follows the sharp burning pain in the affected dermatome?
During a herpes zoster outbreak, what skin change follows the sharp burning pain in the affected dermatome?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
The Thoracic Cavity
- Located between the neck and abdomen.
- Shaped like a truncated cone.
- Superior Thoracic Aperture: thoracic inlet
- Inferior Thoracic Aperture: thoracic outlet.
- Encloses two pleural cavities and a central mediastinum.
- The mediastinum has superior, inferior, anterior, middle, and posterior sections.
Thoracic Wall
- Composed of three parts:
- Sternum
- 12 pairs of ribs and associated costal cartilages
- 12 thoracic vertebrae
- Ribs are classified as:
- True Vertebro - sternal ribs (1st-7th)
- False ribs (Vertebro - chondral) (8th, 9th, and usually 10th)
- Floating (vertebral, free) ribs (11th, 12th, and sometimes 10th)
- Typical ribs (3rd – 9th) have:
- Head with two facets and a crest
- Neck
- Tubercle (articular and non-articular)
- Body with a costal angle and costal groove
- Atypical ribs:
- 1st rib with single facet and two grooves for subclavian vessels
- 2nd rib with two facets and tuberosity of serratus anterior muscle
- 10th-12th ribs with one facet, 11th-12th lack neck and tubercle
- Costal Cartilages:
- 1st-7th directly connect to the sternum.
- 8th-10th articulate with the superior cartilage.
- 11th and 12th are caps at the ends of ribs.
- Intercostal Spaces:
- Contain 11 intercostal spaces and 11 intercostal nerves.
- There is also a subcostal space and a subcostal nerve.
Thoracic Vertebrae
- Bilateral costal facets (demifacets) for articulation with ribs on vertebral bodies.
- T1 articulates only with T1.
- T10, T11, T12 have only one costal facet each.
- Costal facets on the transverse processes for articulation with ribs.
- Spinous processes.
Sternum
- Components:
- Manubrium
- Body
- Xiphoid process
Thoracic Apertures
-
Superior Thoracic Outlet:
- Posteriorly: T1 vertebra
- Laterally: 1st pair of ribs and their costal cartilages
- Anteriorly: superior border of manubrium
-
Inferior Thoracic Outlet:
- Posteriorly: 12th thoracic vertebra
- Posterolateral: 11th and 12th pairs of ribs
- Anterolateral: joined cartilages of ribs 7-10 forming the costal margins
- Anteriorly: Xiphosternal joint
Joints of the Thoracic Cage
- Intervertebral joints
- Sternoclavicular joints
- Costovertebral joints
- Joints of head of ribs
- Costotransverse joints
- Costochondral joints
- Interchondral joints
- Sternocostal joints
- Manubriosternal joint
- Xiphisternal joint
Muscles of the Thoracic Wall
-
True muscles of the thoracic wall:
- Serratus posterior superior muscle
- Serratus posterior inferior muscle
- Levatores costarum muscle
- Intercostal muscles
- Subcostal muscle
- Transversus thoracis muscle
-
Accessory respiratory muscles:
- Pectoralis major muscle
- Pectoralis minor muscle
- Serratus anterior muscle
Intercostal Muscles
- Three layers:
- External intercostals: run forward and downward.
- Internal intercostals: run downward and posteriorly at right angles to the externals.
- Innermost intercostals: run in the same direction as the internal intercostals.
Intercostal Nerves
- Arise from anterior rami of thoracic spinal nerves (T1-T11).
- Subcostal nerve arises from anterior ramus of T12 nerve.
-
Typical intercostal nerves (3rd-6th):
- Confined to their own intercostal spaces.
- Have rami communicantes, collateral branches, lateral cutaneous branches (supply lateral thoracic wall), anterior cutaneous branches (supply anterior thoracic wall), and muscular branches.
-
Atypical intercostal nerves:
- 1st and 2nd contribute to the brachial plexus and supply the medial side of the arm.
- 7th-11th contribute to the abdominal wall.
- Intercostobrachial nerve.
Herpes Zoster
- A viral disease affecting spinal ganglia, usually a reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) or chickenpox virus.
- Causes:
- Sharp burning pain in the dermatome supplied by the affected nerve.
- Redness in the affected skin area.
- Vesicular eruptions.
- Symptoms:
- Pain may precede or follow skin eruptions.
- Complication:
- Weakness from motor involvement can occur in 0.5-5.0% of cases, especially in elderly cancer patients.
Intercostal Nerve Block
- Involves injecting an anesthetic agent around the intercostal nerves between the paravertebral line and the area requiring anesthesia.
- Used for:
- Rib fractures
- Post-thoracic surgery pain relief
- Mechanism:
- Blocks nerve endings in the skin, interrupting pain signal transmission.
- Effectiveness:
- Complete loss of sensation is rare because of overlapping dermatomes.
Pleural Cavities
- Two right and left cavities housing the lungs and pleurae.
- The pleural cavities are lined with membranes called pleurae.
Mediastinum
- Occupies the space between the pleural cavities.
- Contains:
- Heart
- Thoracic part of great vessels
- Thoracic part of the trachea
- Esophagus
- Thymus
- Other structures such as lymph nodes
Lungs
- The right lung has three lobes:
- Superior
- Middle
- Inferior
- It has two fissures:
- Oblique fissure
- Horizontal fissure
- The left lung has two lobes:
- Superior
- Inferior
- The left lung only has an oblique fissure.
- The costodiaphragmatic recesses are not occupied by lung tissue and are where exudate accumulates when the body is erect.
Trachea
- A fibrocartilaginous tube.
- Consists of incomplete tracheal cartilages.
- Measures 2.5 cm in adults.
- Extends from C6 to T4-5 (intervertebral disc).
- Located anterior to the sternal angle.
- Divides into right and left bronchi.
- The brachiocephalic trunk is related to the right side of the trachea.
- Deviation of the trachea from the midline can indicate a pathological process.
Pulmonary Vessels
-
Pulmonary arteries:
- Right and left pulmonary arteries branch from the pulmonary trunk at the level of the sternal angle.
- They further branch into:
- Lobar arteries
- Segmental arteries
-
Pulmonary veins:
- Superior and inferior pulmonary veins drain the lungs.
- There is also a middle lobe vein on the right side.
Bronchial Vessels
-
Bronchial arteries:
- 2 left bronchial arteries arise from the aorta.
- Right bronchial artery arises from the aorta or the upper posterior intercostal artery, often sharing a trunk with the left superior bronchial artery.
-
Bronchial veins:
- Drain into the azygos system.
Pulmonary Circulation
- The respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli are involved in gas exchange.
- The right and left pulmonary arteries deliver deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
- The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood back to the heart (left atrium).
Positioning of the Lungs and Pleurae
- The anterior borders of the lungs lie adjacent to the anterior line of reflection of the parietal pleura between the 2nd and 4th costal cartilages.
- The margin of the left pleural reflection moves laterally and inferiorly at the cardiac notch to reach the 6th costal cartilage.
- The anterior border of the left lung is more deeply indented by its cardiac notch.
- On the right side, the pleural reflection continues inferiorly from the 4th to the 6th costal cartilage, paralleled closely by the anterior border of the right lung.
- The cervical pleurae and apices of the lungs pass through the superior thoracic aperture deep to the supraclavicular fossae (depressions located posterior and superior to the clavicles and lateral to the tendons of the sternocleidomastoid muscles).
Thoracic Cavity
- Located between the neck and abdomen
- Shaped like a truncated cone
- Contains the superior thoracic aperture (thoracic inlet) and the inferior thoracic aperture (thoracic outlet)
- Divided into two pleural cavities and a central mediastinum
Thorax
- Composed of the sternum, 12 pairs of ribs, and 12 thoracic vertebrae
- Ribs are classified as true ribs (1st-7th), false ribs (8th-10th), and floating ribs (11th-12th)
Typical Ribs (3rd-9th)
- Consist of a head, neck, tubercle, and body
- Head has two facets for articulation with vertebral bodies
- Neck connects the head to the body
- Tubercle has articular and non-articular surfaces
- Body contains the costal angle and costal groove
Atypical Ribs
- 1st Rib: Single facet, two grooves for subclavian vessels
- 2nd Rib: Two facets, tuberosity for serratus anterior muscle
- 10th-12th Ribs: Single facet, 11th and 12th lack a neck and tubercle
Costal Cartilages
- Connect ribs to the sternum
- 1st-7th ribs attach directly to sternum
- 8th-10th ribs articulate with superior costal cartilage
- 11th and 12th ribs form caps at ends of ribs
Intercostal Spaces
- 11 intercostal spaces containing intercostal nerves
- Subcostal space contains the subcostal nerve
Thoracic Vertebrae
- Possess bilateral costal facets (demifacets) on their bodies for rib articulation
- T10, T11, T12 vertebrae only have one costal facet
- Costal facets on transverse processes for articulation with ribs
Sternum
- Consists of manubrium, body, and xiphoid process
Thoracic Outlet
- Superior thoracic outlet: Defined by T1 vertebra posteriorly, 1st ribs laterally, and superior border of manubrium anteriorly
- Inferior thoracic outlet: Defined by 12th thoracic vertebra posteriorly, 11th and 12th ribs posterolaterally, costal margins anterolaterally, and xiphosternal joint anteriorly
Thoracic Wall Joints
- Intervertebral joints: Connect vertebrae
- Sternoclavicular joints: Connect sternum and clavicle
- Costovertebral joints: Connect ribs to vertebrae
- Joints of head of ribs: Articulation between rib head and vertebral bodies
- Costotransverse joints: Articulation between rib tubercle and transverse process
- Costochondral joints: Connect ribs and costal cartilages
- Interchondral joints: Connect costal cartilages to each other
- Sternocostal joints: Connect ribs to sternum
- Manubriosternal joint: Connects manubrium and body of sternum
- Xiphisternal joint: Connects xiphoid process to body of sternum
Thoracic Wall Muscles
-
True muscles of the thoracic wall:
- Serratus posterior superior muscle
- Serratus posterior inferior muscle
- Levatores costarum muscle
- Intercostal muscles (external, internal, innermost)
- Subcostal muscle
- Transversus thoracis muscle
-
Accessory respiratory muscles:
- Pectoralis major muscle
- Pectoralis minor muscle
- Serratus anterior muscle
Intercostal Nerves
- Formed from anterior rami of T1-T11 spinal nerves
- Subcostal nerve: Formed from anterior ramus of T12 nerve
-
Typical intercostal nerves: Confined to single intercostal space
- Supply muscles of the intercostal space
-
Atypical intercostal nerves: Supply other areas as well
- 1st and 2nd nerves contribute to brachial plexus
- 7th-11th nerves innervate abdominal wall
Thoracic Cavity Contents
- Pleural cavities: Contain lungs and pleurae (lining membranes)
- Mediastinum: Contains the heart, thoracic portions of great vessels, trachea, esophagus, thymus, and other structures (e.g., lymph nodes)
Thoracic Cavity Structures
-
Lungs:
- Right lung contains superior, middle, and inferior lobes separated by oblique and horizontal fissures
- Left lung contains superior and inferior lobes separated by oblique fissure
-
Pleura: Serous membrane surrounding the lungs
- Visceral pleura adheres to lung surface
- Parietal pleura lines the thoracic cavity
-
Trachea: Fibrocartilaginous tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi
- Consists of incomplete cartilaginous rings
- Contains the right and left main bronchi
- Deviates from midline in pathological processes
- Bronchi: Divide into smaller branches within the lungs
-
Pulmonary Vessels:
- Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs
- Pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs
- Bronchial Arteries: Supply blood to the bronchi and lung tissues
- Bronchial Veins: Drain blood from the lungs
Clinical Considerations
-
Herpes zoster: Viral reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox)
- Causes shingles, a painful dermatomal skin lesion
- Affects sensory and motor nerves
- Intercostal nerve block: Local anesthesia of intercostal space by injecting an anesthetic agent around intercostal nerves
Thoracic Cavity
- The thoracic cavity is cone-shaped, situated between the neck and abdomen.
- It has a superior thoracic aperture (thoracic inlet) and an inferior thoracic aperture (thoracic outlet).
- It contains two pleural cavities, each housing a lung and its surrounding pleura, and a central mediastinum.
- The mediastinum is divided into superior, inferior, anterior, middle, and posterior regions.
Thoracic Wall
- The thoracic wall is composed of the sternum, 12 pairs of ribs and associated costal cartilages, and 12 thoracic vertebrae.
- Ribs are classified as true (1st-7th), false (8th-10th), and floating (11th-12th).
- Typical ribs (3rd-9th) have a head, neck, tubercle, and body.
- Atypical ribs have variations in their features, such as the 1st rib with a single facet and two grooves for subclavian vessels.
Costal Cartilages and Intercostal Spaces
- Costal cartilages connect the ribs to the sternum or other ribs.
- There are 11 intercostal spaces, each containing an intercostal nerve.
- The subcostal space is located below the 12th rib and contains the subcostal nerve.
Thoracic Vertebrae and Rib Articulations
- Thoracic vertebrae have bilateral costal facets (demifacets) for articulation with ribs.
- T10, T11, and T12 vertebrae have only one costal facet each.
- Ribs also articulate with the transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae.
Sternum
- The sternum is composed of the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.
Thoracic Apertures
- The superior thoracic aperture is formed by the T1 vertebra, the 1st pair of ribs and costal cartilages, and the superior border of the manubrium.
- The inferior thoracic aperture is formed by the 12th thoracic vertebra, the 11th and 12th pairs of ribs, the xiphisternal joint, and the costal margins.
Joints of the Thoracic Wall
- Major joints include intervertebral, sternoclavicular, costovertebral, joints of the head of ribs, costotransverse, costochondral, interchondral, sternocostal, manubriosternal, and xiphisternal.
Muscles of the Thoracic Wall
- True muscles of the thoracic wall include serratus posterior superior, serratus posterior inferior, levatores costarum, intercostals, subcostal, and transversus thoracis.
- Intercostal muscles have three layers: external, internal, and innermost.
- External intercostals run forward and downward, internal intercostals run downward and posteriorly, and innermost intercostals run similar to internal intercostals.
Intercostal Nerves
- Intercostal nerves are anterior rami of spinal nerves T1-T11.
- The subcostal nerve is the anterior ramus of T12.
- Typical intercostal nerves (3rd-6th) are confined to their respective intercostal spaces.
- Atypical intercostal nerves (1st-2nd, 7th-11th) supply other areas as well, including the brachial plexus, medial side of the arm, and abdominal wall.
Herpes Zoster
- Herpes zoster (shingles) is a viral disease of spinal ganglia, usually a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
- It causes a painful dermatomally distributed skin lesion, characterized by burning pain, red skin, and vesicular eruptions.
- Motor involvement can occur in 0.5-5% of people, leading to weakness.
Intercostal Nerve Block
- Anesthesia of an intercostal space can be achieved by injecting anaesthetic agent around the intercostal nerves.
- Intercostal nerve block is used for rib fractures and sometimes after thoracic surgery.
- It involves infiltration of the anesthetic around the intercostal nerve trunk and its collateral branches.
Pleural Cavities
- The pleural cavities contain the lungs and pleurae (lining membranes).
Mediastinum
- The mediastinum contains the heart, thoracic part of great vessels, thoracic part of the trachea, esophagus, thymus, and other structures (e.g., lymph nodes).
Lungs
- Lungs have two lobes (left) or three lobes (right).
- The right lung has an oblique and horizontal fissure, while the left lung has only an oblique fissure.
- The shapes of the lungs and pleural sacs change during quiet respiration.
- The costodiaphragmatic recesses are where pleural exudate accumulates in an upright position.
Trachea
- The trachea is a fibrocartilaginous tube with incomplete tracheal cartilages.
- It is about 2.5 cm in diameter in adults.
- It extends from C6 to T4-5 (sternal angle).
- It divides into right and left bronchi.
- The brachiocephalic trunk is related to the right side of the trachea.
- Deviation of the trachea from the midline may indicate a pathological process.
Pulmonary Arteries and Veins
- The right and left pulmonary arteries branch from the pulmonary trunk at the level of the sternal angle.
- The pulmonary arteries supply oxygen to the lungs.
- The superior, middle, and inferior lobar arteries branch further into tertiary segmental arteries.
- The superior and inferior pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart.
Bronchial Arteries and Veins
- The bronchial arteries supply oxygen to the bronchial tissue.
- The right bronchial artery originates from the aorta or the upper posterior intercostal artery.
- The left bronchial arteries originate from the aorta.
- The bronchial veins drain deoxygenated blood from the bronchi.
Lung Borders
- The anterior borders of the lungs lie adjacent to the anterior line of reflection of the parietal pleura between the 2nd and 4th costal cartilages.
- The left pleural reflection moves laterally and inferiorly at the cardiac notch to reach the 6th costal cartilage.
- The left lung has a deeper cardiac notch.
- On the right side, the pleural reflection continues inferiorly from the 4th to the 6th costal cartilage.
- The cervical pleurae and apices of the lungs pass through the superior thoracic aperture, going deep to the supraclavicular fossae, depressions located posterior and superior to the clavicles.
Respiratory Bronchioli, Alveolar Ducts, and Alveoli
- The respiratory bronchioli, alveolar ducts, and alveoli are involved in gas exchange.
Clinical Significance
- The thoracic cavity is a vital region for respiration, blood circulation, and lymphatic drainage.
- Conditions affecting the thoracic wall or its contents can have important consequences, including respiratory distress, cardiovascular complications, and neurological disorders.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the intricate anatomy of the thoracic cavity and wall in this quiz. You will learn about the structure and classification of ribs, the components of the thoracic wall, and the sections of the mediastinum. Perfect for students studying anatomy and physiology.
