Thoracic Anatomy Quiz

Arterial Supply and Intercostal Spaces

• The internal thoracic artery lies along the margins of the sternum and terminates as the superior epigastric and musculophrenic arteries.
• There are 11 pairs of intercostal spaces, each with 3 layers of muscles crucial to rib movement during respiration.
• The supreme intercostal artery supplies the 1st two spaces.
• The posterior intercostal arteries supply 2 per space in spaces 1-6.
• The anterior intercostal arteries supply the 7th to 10th intercostal spaces.
• The subcostal artery supplies the 12th intercostal space.

Venous Drainage and Intercostal Spaces

• The venous drainage of the intercostal space drains to the internal thoracic vein anteriorly.
• The posterior intercostal veins drain the 1st intercostal space posteriorly.

Thoracic Structure and Function

• The diaphragm separates the thorax from the abdomen.
• The main function of the intercostal muscles is to facilitate rib movement during respiration.
• The ribs articulate with the thoracic vertebrae.
• The main function of the thoracic inlet is to allow for passage of structures between the neck and thorax.
• The thoracic outlet forms the lower opening of the thorax.
• The costal cartilages function to increase the elasticity of the thoracic cage during respiration.
• The sternum protects the heart and pericardium.
• The thoracic inlet forms the upper opening of the thorax.
• The main function of the sternum in the thorax is to provide a point of attachment for muscles and form the anterior thoracic wall.
• The diaphragm assists in separating the thorax from the abdomen.

Test your knowledge of thoracic anatomy by identifying and naming the features of a typical rib, a first rib, and the sternum, demonstrating how a rib articulates with the thoracic vertebrae, and identifying the different types of joints in the thorax. This quiz is based on selected sections from Moore Clinically Oriented Anatomy 8th Ed.