Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the costal angle?
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?
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?
During inhalation, what happens to the diaphragm?
Contracts and moves downward.
During exhalation, what happens to the diaphragm?
During exhalation, what happens to the diaphragm?
From superficial to deep, the lung pleura occur in what order?
From superficial to deep, the lung pleura occur in what order?
What is the cause of respiratory alkalosis?
What is the cause of respiratory alkalosis?
What is the cause of respiratory acidosis?
What is the cause of respiratory acidosis?
What effect does pregnancy have on the thorax and lungs?
What effect does pregnancy have on the thorax and lungs?
What are some aggravating factors of dyspnea?
What are some aggravating factors of dyspnea?
AP diameter should always be less than the transverse diameter.
AP diameter should always be less than the transverse diameter.
If a patient comes in and their AP = T, what does that mean?
If a patient comes in and their AP = T, what does that mean?
What is pectus excavatum?
What is pectus excavatum?
What is pectus carinatum?
What is pectus carinatum?
When assessing a patient, what does asymmetrical scapulas indicate?
When assessing a patient, what does asymmetrical scapulas indicate?
What is kyphosis?
What is kyphosis?
When performing percussion on a patient over their lungs, what sounds should you hear?
When performing percussion on a patient over their lungs, what sounds should you hear?
What are some health promotion practices pertinent to the lung assessment?
What are some health promotion practices pertinent to the lung assessment?
What is an abnormal finding when assessing for tactile fremitus?
What is an abnormal finding when assessing for tactile fremitus?
What are some findings in the lungs of an aging adult?
What are some findings in the lungs of an aging adult?
What is fremitus?
What is fremitus?
What is bronchophony?
What is bronchophony?
What is egophony?
What is egophony?
What are crackles or rales in the lungs?
What are crackles or rales in the lungs?
What are wheezes or rhonchi?
What are wheezes or rhonchi?
What is emphysema?
What is emphysema?
What is pneumothorax?
What is pneumothorax?
What is stridor?
What is stridor?
What are findings you would see when assessing a patient with asthma?
What are findings you would see when assessing a patient with asthma?
What are findings you would see when assessing a patient with emphysema?
What are findings you would see when assessing a patient with emphysema?
What are findings you would see when assessing a patient with atelectasis?
What are findings you would see when assessing a patient with atelectasis?
What are some signs of respiratory distress?
What are some signs of respiratory distress?
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.
