Thorax: Part I - Gross Anatomy

These flashcards cover key anatomical terms and concepts related to the thorax as presented in the lecture notes.

Thoracic Cavity

The chamber of the body that is bounded by the ribs and diaphragm, containing the lungs and heart.

Pleura

A serous membrane that envelops the lungs, consisting of two layers: visceral and parietal pleura.

Mediastinum

The central space within the thorax that separates the pleural cavities, containing the heart, trachea, esophagus, and major blood vessels.

Respiratory Diaphragm

A dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and plays a key role in breathing.

Innervation of the Diaphragm

Supplied by the phrenic nerves originating from spinal nerves C3-C5.

Bronchial Tree

The branching system of airways from the trachea to the alveoli in the lungs.

Alveoli

Small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange takes place between air and blood.

Bronchopulmonary Segment

The smallest functional subdivision of a lobe of the lung, supplied by a tertiary bronchus.

Pericardium

The double-walled sac that contains the heart, composed of fibrous and serous layers.

Great Vessels

The major arteries and veins that transport blood to and from the heart, including the aorta and vena cavae.

Intercostal Muscles

Muscles located between the ribs that assist in breathing by changing the volume of the thoracic cavity.

Pulmonary Circuit

The pathway of blood flow from the right ventricle to the lungs and back to the left atrium.

Systemic Circuit

The pathway of blood flow from the left ventricle through the body and back to the right atrium.

Visceral Pleura

The layer of pleura that directly covers the lungs.

Parietal Pleura

The layer of pleura that lines the inner surface of the thoracic cavity.