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Description
Flashcards by Marissa Alvarez, updated more than 1 year ago
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Created by Marissa Alvarez
almost 7 years ago
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| Question | Answer |
| Thoracic Skeleton consists of: Sternum 12 pairs of ribs and the associated costal cartilages 12 thoracic vertebrae and their associated intervertebral (IV) discs Intervertebral (IV) discs are joints located b/w the vertebrae | |
| STERNUM: Flat elongated bone that forms the anterior and middle portion of the thoracic cage Composed of three parts: 1. Manubrium 2. Body 3. Xiphoid Process **Sternal angle (Angle of Louis) is the articulation b/w the manubrium & the body | |
| **The sternal angle: marks the 2nd rib w/associated costal cartilage is opposite of ~T4/T5 thoracic vertebrae (highlighted by yellow box) | |
| STERNUM: Jugular Notch: easily palpable concave notch along superior border of the manubrium | |
| COSTAL CARTILAGES Prolong the ribs ANTERIORLY Contribute to the elasticity of the thoracic wall First 7 generally articulate DIRECTLY w/the sternum The 8th, 9th and 10th articulate with the cartilages just SUPERIOR to them | |
| Thoracic Apertures The thoracic cage has superior and inferior openings (apertures) Superior Thoracic Aperture: doorway b/w thoracic cavity and the neck Clinicians generally refer to the superior thoracic aperture as the “thoracic outlet” Inferior Thoracic Aperture: the muscular diaphragm closes the aperture, separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity | |
| Functions of the Thoracic Cage | ATTACHMENT site for the skeleton of the upper limb and some of its associated muscles PROTECTION of the contents of the thoracic viscera (i.e., lungs, heart, and the great vessels) and some abdominal organs Provides the MECHANICAL FUNCTION OF BREATHING: muscles of the thoracic wall, abdominal wall, and diaphragm vary the volume of the thoracic cavity… thus allowing the lungs to expand (inhale) and relax (exhale) |
| General Features of Thoracic Vertebrae: Like most all vertebrae, a typical thoracic vertebra consists of three major features: 1. Vertebral body: for weight bearing 2. Vertebral (neural) ARCH consisting of pedicles and laminae: protection of the spinal cord 3. Numerous (7) processes for: muscular attachment and joint surfaces | |
| VERTEBRAL BODIES ARE heart-shaped and have costal facets for articulation with ribs SPINOUS PROCESSES are long and slant inferiorly TRANSVERSE PROCESSES are long and slender and have a transverse costal facet for articulation with the tubercle of a rib ARTICULAR FACETS (4) for articulation with adjacent vertebrae (i.e. facet joints) | |
| Three types of RIBS: 1. Vertebrocostal (True): articulates directly with sternum via its own costal cartilage (1-7) 2. Vertebrochondral (False): indirect articulation with sternum via costal cartilage of the superior rib (8-10) 3. Vertebral (Floating): do not articulate with sternum, end in the posterior abdominal wall (11-12) | |
| Characteristics of typical Ribs: Typical ribs are considered ribs 3-9 HEAD: has two facets (superior and inferior) for articulation with two vertebrae. **There is a crest b/w these two facets Neck: slightly constricted area just distal to head Tubercle: located at junction of neck and shaft, has a smooth facet for articulation with corresponding transverse process of the vertebra Shaft: thin, flat and curved. Has a costal angle where rib turns anterolateral and a COSTAL GROOVE inferiorly for neurovascular structures | |
| Typical Rib ARTICULATIONS: Understand that the head of typical ribs articulates with TWO vertebrae: 1. The body of the numerically corresponding vertebra and also 2. the body of the vertebra superior to it Example: Rib 5 articulates with the body of T5 and T4 Understand that the tubercle of a typical rib articulates with the numerically corresponding transverse process | |
| In the Clinic: RIB FRACTURES | Weakest part of ribs is just ANTERIOR to its angle Middle ribs (5-9) are the most commonly fractured by crushing (auto accident) or by a direct trauma to the chest Fractures are very painful because the bone fragments move with breathing 1st rib rarely fractured (well protected by clavicle) |
| JOINTS of the Thoracic Skeleton The thoracic skeleton consists 3 major types of articulations (joints): 1. Costochondral 2. Sternocostal 3. Costovertebral All VERY STRONG articulations aimed to protect underlying structures! | |
| JOINTS of the Thoracic Skeleton Cont'd... Costochondral = fibrous joints Sternocostal = synovial joints Costovertebral = synovial joints | |
| MUSCLES of the Thoracic Wall Several EXTRINSIC muscles of the upper limb cover the thoracic wall but are primarily muscles of the upper limb These include: Pectoralis Major Pectoralis Minor Serrratus Anterior These muscles, although primarily move and stabilize the upper limb, they can also assist in respiration by moving the ribs and thoracic cage | |
| PECTORALIS MAJOR Large fan-shaped muscle in superior thorax Two heads of origin: clavicular and sternocostal Inserts into the humerus Powerful ADDUCTOR; flexor, and medial (internal) rotator of the arm ***Innervated by the medial & lateral pectoral nerves | |
| PECTORALIS MINOR Originates from anterior surface of the 3rd - 5th ribs Inserts into the coracoid process of the scapula Stabilizes the scapula against thoracic wall (accessory respiratory muscle also) Innervated primarily by the MEDIAL pectoral nerve (receives a small contribution by the lateral pectoral nerve) | |
| SERRATUS ANTERIOR MUSCLE Originates on the surface of the 1st - 8th ribs Inserts into the medial border of the scapula Stabilizes and protracts the SCAPULA (shoulder blade) **Innervated by LONG thoracic nerve | |
| In The Clinic: WINGED SCAPULA | LONG thoracic nerve trauma (i.e. surgical procedures or traumatic knife wound) can render the serratus anterior paralyzed Condition known as “winged scapula” Unable to clamp or stabilize SCAPULA against thoracic wall |
| INTRINSIC MUSCLES of the Thorax External Intercostals Internal Intercostals Innermost Intercostals Intercostal muscles are all accessory muscles of respiration Innervated by intercostal nerves Note the order “VAN” of neurovascular structures within the costal groove: Intercostal Vein Intercostal Artery Intercostal Nerve Small collateral branches… (minor significance, "angel hairs") | |
| In The Clinic: INTERCOSTAL NERVE BLOCK | Intercostal nerve blocks: local anesthetic infiltrated around one or several intercostal nerves to provide anesthesia to thoracic wall Intercostal nerve blocks: can be used for fractured ribs (i.e. our case with Robert)..or bone cancer in the rib cage with intractable pain |
| INTERCOSTAL MUSCLES | 11 on each side… one in each intercostal space EXTERNAL intercostal muscles course “down and in” and are visualized more LATERALLY INTERNAL intercostal muscles course “down and out” and are visualized more MEDIALLY INTERCOSTAL muscles are ACCESSORY muscles of RESPIRATION |
| INNERMOST Intercostal Muscles | Located on the inside of the thoracic wall Separated from INTERNAL intercostal muscles by the intercostal NERVES and VESSELS (the NEUROVASCULAR PLANE) |
| INNERmost Intercostal Muscles ONE IN PARTICULAR: (TTM) | One particular innermost intercostal is the TRANSVERSUS THORACIS MUSCLE. It is located on the inside of the thoracic wall… just deep to the sternum Origin: posterior surface of the sternum Inserts onto the internal surface of costal cartilages of ribs 2-6 |
| VASCULATURE of the Thoracic Wall | Note the segmental (repeated) vascular pattern of the arteries along the thoracic wall In other words, note how the arteries travel in each successive intercostal space throughout the thorax These “intercostal arteries” vascularize the muscles and tissues along the body wall These INTERCOSTAL ARTERIES ARISES from two major arteries: 1. Thoracic AORTA 2. Internal thoracic arteries (which are branches of the SUBCLAVIAN arteries) -b/w INNERMOST & Internal intercostal muscles |
| VASCULATURE of the Thoracic Wall Cont'd... | If we removed section of thoracic wall, one could appreciate how these vessels vascularize the thorax POSTERIOR intercostal arteries arise from the AORTA and course b/w the ribs where they anastomose (merge in the middle) w/ the anterior intercostals Most ANTERIOR intercostal ARTERIES arise from INTERNAL THORACIC ARTERY |
| Vasculature of the Thoracic Wall Cont'd...... | If we removed a section of thoracic wall, one could appreciate how these vessels vascularize the thorax Note that these vessels travel WITHIN the neurovascular plane b/w the intercostal muscle layers |
| If we removed the anterior aspect of the thoracic wall…. Note the internal thoracic arteries divides into the MUSCULOPHRENIC and SUPERIOR EPIGASTRIC arteries | |
| Venous Drainage of the Thoracic Wall | Similar to the arteries, note the segmental (repeated) vascular pattern of the veins along the thoracic wall In other words, note how the veins travel in each successive intercostal space throughout the thorax These “intercostal veins” DRAIN VENOUS BLOOD from the thoracic wall These intercostal veins drain into: 1. Azygos system of veins 2. Internal thoracic veins If we remove a section of the thoracic wall, one can appreciate how the intercostal veins drain into the azygos veins or the internal thoracic veins |
| Nerves of the Thoracic Wall | Note the segmental (repeated) innervation pattern of the nerves along the thoracic wall In other words, note how the nerves travel in each successive intercostal space throughout the thorax Each INTERCOSTAL NERVE COURSES in the COSTAL GROOVE (along the inferior surface of the rib) innervating the ANTERIOR and LATERAL body wall and the INTRINSIC thoracic wall muscles (i.e. intercostal muscles) There are 12 intercostal nerves (T1-T12) which are branches of the thoracic spinal nerves |
| Spinal Nerves | Spinal nerves arise from each spinal cord segment via SMALL ROOTLETS that eventually converge to form TWO ROOTS (a ventral & dorsal root) VENTRAL Root: contains axons of MOTOR nerves that convey impulses AWAY from the spinal cord DORSAL Root: contains axons of SENSORY nerves that convey impulses TOWARD the spinal cord Both roots unite to form a spinal nerve which conveys BOTH motor and sensory axons |
| Spinal nerves divide into two branches (or rami) | Spinal nerves divide into two branches (or rami), which also convey BOTH motor and sensory axons DORSAL ramus: conveys nerve axons to and from the muscles of the BACK and the overlying skin of the BACK **These sensory nerves convey sensations like pain, touch and temperature into the spinal cord/CNS. VENTRAL ramus: "work-horse" conveys nerve axons to and from the body wall (torso) and/or the upper & lower limbs **These motor nerves ultimately innervate skeletal muscles (i.e. intercostal muscles) ****It is the ventral rami of thoracic spinal nerves that ultimately innervate the muscles and skin along the thoracic wall.**** |
| Nerves of the Thoracic Wall | It is the ventral rami of thoracic spinal nerves that ultimately innervate the muscles and skin along the thoracic wall |
| Nerves of the Thoracic Wall Cont'd... This segmental innervation pattern is reflected on the surface of the body Note in this dermatome map, the thoracic nerves innervate successive segments along the body wall Every sensory nerve innervates a specific skin area These “dermatomes” then correspond to a specific spinal cord segment The dermatomes are arranged in a “band-like pattern Note that the T4 dermatome corresponds to the level of the nipples Note that the T10 dermatome corresponds to the level of the umbilicus | |
| DIVISON of the Thoracic Cavity | The thoracic cavity is divided into 3 compartments: 2 LATERAL compartments which contain the lungs and the pleurae…serous membranes surrounding the lungs 1 Central compartment: the mediastinum… that contains many major thoracic structures (heart, great vessels, and portions of the trachea, esophagus, and thymus) |
| DIVISON of the Mediastinum | The mediastinum is the CENTRAL compartment of the thoracic cavity It extends from the SUPERIOR THORACIC APERTURE to the DIAPHRAGM It is a highly MOBILE region b/c it contains primarily hollow organs filled with fluid and/or air The mediastinum is artificially subdivided into a SUPERIOR & INFERIOR mediastinum (for descriptive purposes) |
| The division b/w the superior and inferior mediastinum is called the TRANSTHORACIC PLANE The transthoracic plane is an imaginary line drawn from the STERNAL ANGLE to the T4/T5 vertebral column level The inferior mediastinum is then further subdivided into: Anterior & Middle & Posterior | |
| Lateral Chest X-Ray | |
| ANTERIOR Mediastinum | The anterior mediastinum is a small space just beneath the sternum In children, the TYHMUS gland occupies much of the anterior mediastinum. The gland regresses considerably in adulthood (generally appears like fatty tissue) |
| MIDDLE Mediastinum | The middle mediastinum contains the: Pericardium (a fibro-serous membrane that surrounds and protects the heart) The Heart Roots (or origins) of the great vessels (ascending aorta, SVC, Pulmonary trunk) |
| The POSTERIOR mediastinum is a small area posterior to the heart/pericardium and anterior to the 5th through the 12th thoracic vertebrae Contents include: Esophagus Descending aorta Azygos veins Thoracic duct Autonomic nerves | |
| BOTTOM LINE CONCEPTS | Sternal Angle is opposite the T4/5 vertebral column level and marks the location of the 2nd costal cartilage/rib Intercostal neurovasculature courses within the costal groove along the inferior aspect of the rib Intercostal nerves are ventral rami of thoracic spinal nerves T4 Dermatome is at the nipple level; T10 dermatome is at the umbilicus Internal thoracic (mammary) artery is an important branch of the subclavian artery The thymus gland can be located in the anterior mediastinum |
| ACC Anatomical Connection to the Clinic: 65 yo male, falls in bathroom, hits chest on bathtub, left side chest pain, pain worsens when breathing deeply Severe point tenderness over the lateral aspect of his chest wall (w/superficial swelling & bruising) Need chest x-ray Diagnosis? Possible complications? | Diagnosis: Rib fracture (hard to see on chest x-ray) BUT main take away is that rib fractures are COMMON (esp. 5-9) **They are most common anterior to their angle VERY painful (esp. when breathing b/c fractured rib moves) RARE in 1st rib b/c heavily protected by clavicle Possible complications: pneumothorax ( a collapsed lung: when air leaks into the space b/w your lung and chest wall), hemothorax (blood accumulates in pleural cavity limiting expansion of lungs), damage to underlying organs, nerve damage |
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