Thoracic Wall & Breast Anatomy Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the function of the thoracic cavity?

It contains vital organs necessary for respiration and circulation. (correct)

It is primarily responsible for digestion.

It protects the kidneys and reproductive organs.

It serves as a storage site for blood.

Which of the following correctly describes the boundaries of the superior thoracic aperture?

Posteriorly by the 12th thoracic vertebra.

Laterally by the 1st pair of ribs and their costal cartilages. (correct)

Anteriorly by the superior border of the clavicles.

Bounded only by the body of vertebra T2.

Which part of the sternum articulates with the clavicles?

Xiphoid process

Body of the sternum

Manubrium (correct)

Costal cartilages

What are the effects of a disruption in the structure of the thoracic wall?

Potential impairment of respiratory and circulatory functions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a part of the thoracic wall?

Clavicles Signup and view all the answers

What are the components of the inferior thoracic aperture?

11th and 12th ribs, costal cartilages of ribs 7-10 Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguishes the body of the sternum from the manubrium?

The body connects to the xiphoid process. Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is located in the central mediastinum?

Heart Signup and view all the answers

What type of joint is the xiphisternal joint?

Cartilaginous joint Signup and view all the answers

Which ribs articulate with a simple synovial joint with the corresponding vertebral body?

First and last three ribs Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of costochtal joints?

They permit no movement. Signup and view all the answers

Which costal cartilages articulate with the manubrium?

First costal cartilages Signup and view all the answers

In which intercostal spaces are the intercostal nerves and blood vessels located?

Between the internal and the innermost intercostal muscles Signup and view all the answers

What kind of movements are allowed by the joints of the costal cartilages with the sternum?

No movement Signup and view all the answers

Which muscles are primarily responsible for respiration within the intercostal spaces?

External intercostal, internal intercostal, and innermost intercostal muscles Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the movement of the costovertebral joints?

They are characterized by a strong intra-articular ligament. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the anterior axillary lymph nodes in relation to the thoracic wall?

Drain lymph from the anterior chest wall Signup and view all the answers

Which intercostal nerves primarily enter the abdominal wall by passing deep to the costal cartilages?

Seventh to ninth intercostal nerves Signup and view all the answers

What vascular structure do the venae drain into as they converge?

Brachiocephalic vein Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of the intercostal nerves runs forward below the main nerve?

Collateral branch Signup and view all the answers

Which intercostal nerves exclusively supply the parietal peritoneum?

Seventh to eleventh intercostal nerves Signup and view all the answers

What type of pain may be referred along the intercostobrachial nerve in coronary heart disease?

Pain to the medial side of the arm Signup and view all the answers

Which lymph nodes drain lymph from the intercostal spaces?

Internal thoracic nodes and posterior intercostal nodes Signup and view all the answers

Which structure do the first six intercostal nerves primarily supply within their respective spaces?

Thoracic skin and muscles Signup and view all the answers

Which structure do the posterior intercostal veins primarily drain into?

Hemiazygos vein Signup and view all the answers

What artery gives rise to the posterior intercostal arteries of the first two spaces?

Superior intercostal artery Signup and view all the answers

Which arteries supply the anterior intercostal spaces of the first six spaces?

Internal thoracic arteries Signup and view all the answers

At what anatomical location does the internal thoracic artery terminate?

Sixth intercostal space Signup and view all the answers

Which artery supplies the pericardium and diaphragm?

Pericardiophrenic artery Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of the anterior intercostal arteries for the lower spaces?

Musculophrenic artery Signup and view all the answers

What lies about a fingerbreadth lateral to the sternum as it descends?

Internal thoracic artery Signup and view all the answers

The internal thoracic vein is formed by the venae comitantes of which artery?

Internal thoracic artery Signup and view all the answers

What type of tumor is typically associated with breast carcinoma?

Adenocarcinoma Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics is associated with lymphedema due to breast cancer?

Deviation of the nipple Signup and view all the answers

From which nerves do the breasts receive sensory innervation?

Fourth to sixth intercostal nerves Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'peau d'orange' sign commonly associated with?

Lymphatic obstruction Signup and view all the answers

Through which structures does lymph from the parasternal nodes ultimately drain?

Thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct Signup and view all the answers

Which appearance of the skin is noted as a sign of advanced breast cancer?

Thick and leathery Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of the Thoracic Wall

The thorax is the upper trunk region, positioned between the neck and abdomen.
The thoracic cavity houses vital organs: heart, lungs, thymus, trachea, and esophagus.
It comprises the central mediastinum (contains the heart) and left and right pulmonary cavities (occupied by lungs).
Understanding the thoracic structure is essential for physical examination.

Thoracic Apertures

Superior Thoracic Aperture:
- Bounded posteriorly by T1 vertebra, laterally by the 1st ribs, and anteriorly by the superior border of the manubrium.
Inferior Thoracic Aperture:
- Bounded posteriorly by T12 vertebra, posterolaterally by ribs 11 and 12, anterolaterally by costal cartilages of ribs 7-10, and anteriorly by the xiphisternal joint.

Bones of the Thoracic Wall

Comprises the sternum, ribs, and costal cartilages.

Sternum

Flat bone divided into three parts: manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.
Manubrium: Upper part, articulates with clavicles and the first two costal cartilages; allows slight movement during respiration.
Xiphisternal Joint: Cartilaginous joint; often fuses with the sternum in middle age.

Costovertebral and Other Joints

Costovertebral Joints: Synovial joints connecting ribs 2-9 to corresponding vertebrae and adjacent intervertebral discs; simpler joints for ribs 1, 11, and 12.
Costochondral Joints: Cartilaginous joints with no movement.
Costal Cartilage Joints with Sternum: Varying types of joints; 1st is cartilaginous, while 2nd-7th are synovial, allowing for flexibility.

Muscles of the Thoracic Wall

Key muscles include external intercostal, internal intercostal, and innermost intercostal muscles positioned in the intercostal spaces.
Intercostal nerves and blood vessels run between internal and innermost intercostal muscles.

Blood Supply

Posterior Intercostal Arteries: Supply upper spaces via the superior intercostal artery; lower spaces derive from the thoracic aorta.
Anterior Intercostal Arteries: Upper spaces from the internal thoracic artery; lower spaces from the musculophrenic artery.
Internal Thoracic Artery: Originates from the subclavian artery, supplies intercostal spaces and terminates as the superior epigastric and musculophrenic arteries.

Lymphatic Drainage

Anterior chest skin drains into anterior axillary lymph nodes; posterior chest skin drains into posterior axillary nodes.
Intercostal spaces lymph drains to internal thoracic nodes and posterior intercostal nodes.

Nervous Supply

Intercostal Nerves: Anterior rami of the first eleven thoracic nerves; run within intercostal spaces and provide sensory and motor functions.
Nerves distribute branches for cutaneous, muscular, pleural, and peritoneal supplies.

Breast Anatomy and Carcinoma

Breast nerves arise from the anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of 4th to 6th intercostal nerves.
Carcinomas often originate from lactiferous duct epithelial cells, typically presenting as adenocarcinomas.
Spread occurs through lymphatics and veins, leading to symptoms like lymphedema, nipple deviation, and skin changes (orange-peel appearance).

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Description

Test your knowledge on the thoracic wall and breast anatomy. This quiz covers the structure, compartments, and functions of the thorax, with a focus on the thoracic cavity and its contents. Perfect for students studying human anatomy and physiology.