Bony Thorax Exam Questions

What makes up the bony thorax?

Sternum anteriorly, thoracic vertebrae posteriorly, and 12 pairs of ribs

How many thoracic vertebrae are there?

12 pairs

What is the adult sternum?

Thin, narrow, flat bone with three divisions

What makes up the sternum?

Manubrium, body, and xiphoid process

How long is the adult sternum?

Approximately 7 inches

Manubrium

Upper portion of the sternum

Body of the sternum

Longest portion

Xiphoid process

Most inferior portion of the sternum

True ribs

Connect directly to sternum with costocartilage (1-7)

False ribs

Ribs that have costocartilage that join together at rib 7 (8-12)

Floating ribs

Ribs that do not have costocartilage and don’t connect to the sternum (11-12)

Posterior (vertebral) end of the rib

Articulates with the thoracic vertebrae

Sternal end of the rib

Articulates with the costocartilage

What is between the two ends of each rib?

Body of rib

Head of rib

Articulates with one or two thoracic vertebral bodies

Tubercle of rib

Lateral to neck, with the transverse prices of a vertebra and allows for attachment of a ligament

Angle of rib

Area of forward angulation

Which end of the rib is higher?

The vertebral end by about 3 to 5 inches

Costal groove

Inside margin which contains blood vessels and nerves

Where is the bony thorax the widest?

At the lateral margins of the 8th or 9th ribs

Jugular notch

Uppermost boarder of the manubrium, the slightly notched area between the clavicles

What can the jugular notch also be called?

Suprasternal notch and manubrial notch

What level is the jugular notch found at?

T2-T3

What are the joints between the ribs and vertebral column called?

Costovertebral and costotransverse joints

What classification of joint are the costotransverse and costovertebral joints?

Synovial joints

What is the mobility type of the costotransverse and costovertebral joints?

Diarthrodial

What is the movement type of the costotransverse and costovertebral joints?

Plane or gliding motion

Where are the costotransverse ribs found?

First through tenth ribs

Where are the costovertebral joints found?

Eleventh and twelfth ribs

What does the bony thorax do?

Supports walls of pleural cavity and diaphragm

How is the bony thorax constructed?

So the volume of the thoracic cavity can be varied during respiration

How does the manubrium slant?

Slants laterally and posteriorly on each side of the jugular notch

Where does the body of the manubrium attach to costal cartilage?

At the 2nd costal cartilage at the sternal angle

Intercostal spaces

Area between the ribs

What is the xiphoid process useful for?

To find the superior boarder of the liver and the inferior angle of the heart

What is below the clavicular notches?

Shallow depressions for the cartilage of the 1st pair of ribs

How can the number of ribs be increased?

By the presence of cervical or lumbar ribs

Where do the cervical ribs articulate?

C7

Flail chest

Fracture of adjacent ribs in two or more places, caused by trauma and is associated with pulmonary injury; can lead to instability of the chest wall

Pectus carinatum (pigeon brest)

Defect characterized by anterior protrusion of the lower sternum and xiphoid process

Pectus excavatum (funnel chest)

Deformity characterized by a depressed sternum

LAO SC joints shows which side of the sternoclavicular joint?

Left

RAO SC joints shows which side of the sternoclavicular joint?

Right

For the rib projections, what side is closest to board?

Side with pain/injury

What is the widest portion of the bony thorax?

Rib 8 and 9

What level is the jugular notch found at?

T2/T3

What is the level of the sternal angle?

T4/T5

What level is the xiphoid process?

T9/T10

What are the spaces between ribs called?

Intercostal spaces

Where is the sternal end of the ribs found?

On the anterior side

Where is the vertebral end of the ribs found?

On the posterior side

What positions have expiration?

Below diaphragm ribs, all SC joints

What positions have inspiration?

Above diaphragm ribs (PA/AP/ oblique), lateral sternum

What positions have an orthostatic breathing technique?

RAO sternum

What part of the rib articulations with what part of the spine?

Head of rib is at vertebral end of the rib and articulates with vertebral body. Tubercle of rib articulates with transverse process of vertebra

What are the views for the sternum?

RAO and left lateral

Why do we do the RAO sternum?

To clear the sternum from the spine and use heart shadow for contrast

How many rib facets are present on the sternum?

7 on each side of sternum (7 pairs)