Thorax and Lungs Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the costal angle?

The angle formed by the blending together of the costal margins at the sternum. It is usually no more than 90 degrees, with the ribs inserted at approximately 45-degree angles.

What is the angle of Louis?

Manubriosternal angle, the articulation of the manubrium and body of the sternum, continuous with the second rib.

During inhalation, what happens to the diaphragm?

Contracts and moves downward.

During exhalation, what happens to the diaphragm?

Relaxes and moves up. Signup and view all the answers

From superficial to deep, the lung pleura occur in what order?

parietal pleura, pleural cavity, visceral pleura, lung. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cause of respiratory alkalosis?

Hyperventilation/hypoxemia. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cause of respiratory acidosis?

Hypoventilation/hypercapnia. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does pregnancy have on the thorax and lungs?

Elevates diaphragm 4 cm and allows 40% increase in tidal volume. Signup and view all the answers

What are some aggravating factors of dyspnea?

Exertion, lying down, inhaled irritants. Signup and view all the answers

AP diameter should always be less than the transverse diameter.

True Signup and view all the answers

If a patient comes in and their AP = T, what does that mean?

The patient’s ribs are horizontal rather than facing downward. Signup and view all the answers

What is pectus excavatum?

A markedly sunken sternum and adjacent cartilages. Signup and view all the answers

What is pectus carinatum?

A forward protrusion of the sternum, also known as pigeon chest. Signup and view all the answers

When assessing a patient, what does asymmetrical scapulas indicate?

Scoliosis. Signup and view all the answers

What is kyphosis?

Hunchback in the thoracic area. Signup and view all the answers

When performing percussion on a patient over their lungs, what sounds should you hear?

Resonance over lungs and dullness over the liver and viscera. Signup and view all the answers

What are some health promotion practices pertinent to the lung assessment?

Tobacco use or cessation, immunizations. Signup and view all the answers

What is an abnormal finding when assessing for tactile fremitus?

A vibration sensation. Signup and view all the answers

What are some findings in the lungs of an aging adult?

Calcified costal cartilage, increased rigidity, and barrel chest. Signup and view all the answers

What is fremitus?

A palpable vibration from the spoken voice felt over the chest wall. Signup and view all the answers

What is bronchophony?

Abnormal increase in clarity of transmitted voice sounds heard when auscultating the lungs. Signup and view all the answers

What is egophony?

Indicated when 'ee' is heard as 'ay'. Signup and view all the answers

What are crackles or rales in the lungs?

Fine crackles are soft, high-pitched sounds; coarse crackles are louder and lower in pitch. Signup and view all the answers

What are wheezes or rhonchi?

High-pitched, musical sounds heard on auscultation of the lung. Signup and view all the answers

What is emphysema?

Destruction of pulmonary connective tissue; permanent enlargement of air sacs. Signup and view all the answers

What is pneumothorax?

Collapsed lung caused by air leakage into the pleural space. Signup and view all the answers

What is stridor?

A continuous, high-pitched, crowing sound heard predominantly on inspiration. Signup and view all the answers

What are findings you would see when assessing a patient with asthma?

Increased respiratory rate, shortness of breath, wheezes, and cyanosis. Signup and view all the answers

What are findings you would see when assessing a patient with emphysema?

Increased anteroposterior diameter, barrel chest, and use of accessory muscles. Signup and view all the answers

What are findings you would see when assessing a patient with atelectasis?

Cough, lag on the expansion of the affected side, and cyanosis. Signup and view all the answers

What are some signs of respiratory distress?

Anxious expression, decreased LOC, cyanosis, and use of accessory muscles. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Thorax and Lungs Overview

Costal Angle: The angle formed by costal margins at the sternum, typically ≤ 90 degrees with ribs inserted at ~45 degrees.
Angle of Louis: Manubriosternal angle, where the manubrium and body of the sternum meet, corresponding with the second rib.

Respiratory Mechanics

Inhalation: Diaphragm contracts and moves downward, causing rib cage expansion.
Exhalation: Diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, leading to a smaller rib cage.

Lung Pleura

Layers from superficial to deep: parietal pleura, pleural cavity, visceral pleura, lung.

Respiratory Conditions

Respiratory Alkalosis: Caused by hyperventilation or hypoxemia; results from increased oxygen and low CO2 levels.
Respiratory Acidosis: Caused by hypoventilation or hypercapnia; leads to CO2 accumulation in the blood.

Pregnancy Effects on Lungs

Diaphragm elevation of 4 cm, leading to a 40% increase in tidal volume; diaphragm not fixed.

Dyspnea Aggravating Factors

Exertion, lying down, inhaled irritants.

Thoracic Measurements

Anterior-posterior (AP) diameter should always be less than transverse diameter.
If AP = T, ribs are horizontal, indicating aging or conditions like chronic emphysema.

Chest Structural Abnormalities

Pectus Excavatum: Congenital sunken sternum starting at the second intercostal space, may require surgery if severe.
Pectus Carinatum: Pigeon chest with a protruding sternum and sloping ribs.

Postural Issues

Scoliosis: Asymmetrical scapulas indicating spinal curvature.
Kyphosis: Excessive curvature of the thoracic spine, often referred to as hunchback.

Lung Assessment Techniques

Percussion Results: Normal resonance over lungs; dullness over liver/viscera.
Tactile Fremitus: Palpable vibrations indicating potential lung abnormalities like cystic fibrosis.

Aging and Lung Changes

Aging leads to calcified costal cartilage, more rigid lungs, reduced gas exchange surface area, and barrel chest formation.

Lung Sound Characteristics

Fremitus: Palpable vibration felt over the chest wall.
Bronchophony: Increased clarity of transmitted voice sounds during auscultation.
Egophony: "EE" sounds like "AY," indicating pneumonia or consolidation.
Crackles/Rales: Fine (high-pitched) and coarse (loud, lower-pitched) crackling sounds.
Wheezes: High-pitched musical sounds from narrowed airways, common in asthma and emphysema.

Lung Pathologies

Emphysema: Destruction of pulmonary connective tissue, leading to enlarged air sacs.
Pneumothorax: Collapsed lung due to air in the pleural space; prevents sound transmission.
Asthma Assessment: Increased respiratory rate, shortness of breath, wheezes, cyanosis, and use of accessory muscles.
Emphysema Assessment: Increased AP diameter, use of accessory muscles, prolonged expiration, decreased breath sounds.
Atelectasis Assessment: Cough, lag in expansion of affected side, dull percussion, absent breath sounds over collapse.

Signs of Respiratory Distress

Anxious expression, decreased level of consciousness, cyanosis, use of accessory muscles, coughing, dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis, purulent sputum, adventitious sounds, tripod positioning.

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Description

Test your knowledge of thoracic anatomy with these flashcards focusing on the thorax and lungs. Explore key terms like the costal angle and the angle of Louis for a deeper understanding of respiratory anatomy.