Pleura and mediastinum

Endothoracic fascia

Areolar tissue that attaches the muscles, ligaments and bones of the wall of the thoracic cavity to the underlying costal and diaphragmatic pleurae

Areolar tissue that attaches the muscles, ligaments and bones of the wall of the thoracic cavity to the underlying costal and diaphragmatic pleurae

Binds pleurae to structures superficial to it like rib bones and wall muscles

What is endothoracic fascia

Pleura

The serous membrane that lines the walls of the pleural cavity and covers the lungs

The serous membrane that lines the walls of the pleural cavity and covers the lungs

Thoracic cavity contains 2 pleural sacs against the walls

What is pleura

Pleural cavity

The potential space between the visceral and parietal pleura that contains a small amount of fluid

The potential space between the visceral and parietal pleura that contains a small amount of fluid

What is the pleural cavity

Mediastinum

Space between the left and right pleural sacs, occupied by most of the thoracic organs

Space between the left and right pleural sacs, occupied by most of the thoracic organs

What is the mediastinum

Parietal pleura

Visceral pleura

What are the 2 components of the pleura

Costal pleura

Mediastinal pleura

Diaphragmatic pleura

What are the 3 divisions of parietal pleura

Spaces where regions of parietal pleura are directly applied to each other

Occurs because pleural sac (parietal) is larger than space lungs occupy (pulmonary pleura)

What is a pleural recess

Pleural recess

Spaces where regions of parietal pleura are directly applied to each other

Costodiaphragmatic recess

Costomediastinal recess

What are the 2 pleural recesses

Insert into costodiaphragmatic recess

At 6th, 7th, or 8th ICS

Ventral to costochondral junction

Closer to cranial side of rib (avoid vessels and nerves)

Where should a needle be inserted for a thoracocentesis

Cupula pleura

Cranial extent of the parietal pleura in the pleural cavity extending through the thoracic inlet

Cranial extent of the parietal pleura in the pleural cavity extending through the thoracic inlet

Left is larger than right

What is cupula pleura

Thymus

Heart

Aorta

Trachea

Esophagus

Vagus nerves

Other nerves and vessels (NOT sympathetic trunk)

What structures are contained in the mediastinum

Cranial mediastinum

Middle mediastinum (occupied by heart)

Caudal mediastinum

What are the 3 divisions of the mediastinum divided by the heart

Dorsal mediastinum

Ventral mediastinum

What are the 2 divisions of the mediastinum as divided by the roots of the lungs