Radiological Examination of the Thorax

Radiological Examination of the Thorax

• The heart can be examined using ultrasound as it is part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Fluoroscopy can be used to examine the heart despite utilizing ionizing radiation.
• Congenital anomalies can be identified during radiological exams.
• Normal lung parenchyma appears black on plain film.

Diagnostic Radiography Densities

• Metal appears bright white on imaging.
• Calcium also shows as white in diagnostic radiography.
• Water is represented as black.
• Fat appears as dark grey.
• The heart is displayed as light grey.

Complications from Neck Wounds in Infants

• Injuries to the base of the neck can lead to complications such as pneumopericardium, pneumoperitoneum, hydrothorax, pneumothorax, and pleural effusion.

Pericardial Reflection

• The cul-de-sac at the pericardial reflection near the heart base is termed the oblique sinus.

Cardiac Arterial Flow

• Insertion of the index finger into the transverse pericardial sinus can clamp off all arterial flow from the heart.

Heart Chambers

• The sternocostal surface of the heart is primarily formed by the anterior wall of the right ventricle.

Heart Sounds and Valves

• Heart sound detected at the left 2nd intercostal space corresponds with the pulmonary valve.
• During ventricular systole, the aortic and pulmonary valves are open.

Chest Trauma and Heart Damage

• A stab wound to the sternum around the 4th or 5th costal cartilage would likely damage the right ventricle if it penetrated the pericardium and heart wall.

Azygos System

• The azygos system consists of veins located on either side of the thoracic spine.
• Azygos vein passes through the diaphragm together with the aorta.
• The hemiazygos vein opens through the left crus of the diaphragm.
• Anterior intercostal veins are tributaries of the hemiazygos vein.
• Hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins both drain into the azygos vein.

Thoracic Duct

• The thoracic duct originates from the cisterna chyli.
• It passes through the diaphragm alongside the aorta.
• Drains all body tissues below the diaphragm, typically empties into the left subclavian artery.

Descending Aorta

• The descending aorta begins at the level of T6.
• The aortic hiatus occurs at the level of T10.
• Supplies most of the posterior intercostal arteries.

Sciatic Bed Muscles

• Muscles of the sciatic bed include piriformis, obturator internus, gemelli, and quadratus femoris.

Intramuscular Injections

• For gluteal region injections, the superior lateral quadrant is recommended to avoid nerves.

Femoral Sheath Contents

• The femoral sheath contains the femoral vein, artery, and canal; it does not include the femoral nerve.

Nerve Injury Risk

• Intragluteal injections may risk damaging the sciatic nerve.

Lower Limb Sensation

• Loss of sensation and plantarflexion indicates possible tibial nerve injury.

Popliteal Fossa Anatomy

• The popliteal artery is the deepest structure within the popliteal fossa.

Sensory Changes Due to Piriformis Hypertrophy

• Altered sensation due to piriformis hypertrophy most likely affects the posterior thigh region.

Longitudinal Foot Arches

• Support structures for the longitudinal arches of the foot include the plantar aponeurosis, spring ligament, and short plantar ligament.

Structures Passing Through Sciatic Foramina

• The internal pudendal artery, pudendal nerve, and nerve to obturator internus transverse the sciatic foramina.

Hamstring Muscles

• The hamstring group consists of semimembranosus, semitendinosus, long head of biceps femoris, and posterior fibers of adductor magnus, excluding the short head of biceps femoris.

This quiz focuses on the fundamentals of radiological examination techniques used to assess the thorax, including the heart and lung structures. Participants will explore the properties of different tissues as they appear on various imaging modalities such as ultrasound and fluoroscopy.