Lungs, Thorax, and Breast Assessment – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering landmarks, anatomy, physiology, assessment techniques, abnormal findings, conditions, and breast examination from the lecture notes.

Suprasternal Notch

Hollow, U-shaped depression just above the sternum between the clavicles; an anterior thoracic landmark.

Sternum

The breastbone, composed of the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.

Angle of Louis

Sternal angle located at the 2nd intercostal space; site of tracheal bifurcation and upper atria of the heart.

Costal Angle

Angle where right and left costal margins meet at the xiphoid process; normally ≤ 90°.

Vertebra Prominens

Spinous process of C7 felt at the base of the neck; posterior landmark.

Spinous Processes

Knobs on vertebrae forming the spinal column, used to count ribs posteriorly.

Inferior Border of Scapula

Lower tip of the scapula, usually at the 7th or 8th rib posteriorly.

Twelfth Rib

Free-ending rib palpable midway between the spine and a person’s side.

Midsternal Line

Vertical reference line running down the center of the sternum anteriorly.

Midclavicular Line

Vertical line through the midpoint of the clavicle on each side of the chest.

Anterior Axillary Line

Vertical line along the anterior axillary fold.

Midaxillary Line

Vertical line splitting the axilla midway between anterior and posterior folds.

Posterior Axillary Line

Vertical line along the posterior axillary fold.

Scapular Line

Vertical line through the inferior angle of the scapula posteriorly.

Vertebral Line

Mid-spinal vertical line on the posterior thorax.

Mediastinum

Central compartment of the thoracic cavity containing heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus.

Pleural Cavities

Right and left spaces within the thoracic cavity that house the lungs.

Apex of Lung

Top of lung tissue, 3–4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles anteriorly, level of C7 posteriorly.

Base of Lung

Lower lung border resting on the diaphragm at about the 6th rib MCL anteriorly, T10 posteriorly.

Right Lung

Shorter, three-lobed lung (superior, middle, inferior) due to underlying liver.

Left Lung

Narrower, two-lobed lung (superior, inferior) because of the cardiac notch/heart position.

Visceral Pleura

Serous membrane lining the outside surface of the lungs and dipping into fissures.

Parietal Pleura

Serous membrane lining the inside of the chest wall and diaphragm.

Pleural Cavity

Potential space between visceral and parietal pleura containing lubricating fluid and maintaining a vacuum.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the pleura causing sharp chest pain with breathing.

Alveoli

Functional air sacs where gas exchange between air and blood occurs.

Four Functions of Respiratory System

Supply O₂, remove CO₂, maintain acid–base balance, and assist in heat exchange.

Hypercapnia

Elevated CO₂ level in blood; primary stimulus for normal breathing.

Hypoxemia

Decreased O₂ level in blood; secondary stimulus for respiration.

Residual Volume (Aging)

Amount of air remaining in lungs after exhalation; increases with age.

Vital Capacity (Aging)

Maximum amount of air expelled after maximum inspiration; decreases with age.

Tactile Fremitus

Palpable vibration felt when patient says “ninety-nine,” assessed with palmar base of hand.

Resonance

Low-pitched, clear, hollow sound heard over healthy lung tissue during percussion.

Bronchial Breath Sound

High-pitched, loud, hollow sound heard over trachea/larynx.

Bronchovesicular Sound

Moderate-pitched, mixed quality sound heard over major bronchi.

Vesicular Sound

Low-pitched, soft, rustling sound heard over peripheral lung fields.

Barrel Chest

Increased AP:T ratio (1:1), typical in COPD and emphysema.

Pectus Excavatum

Congenital, sunken sternum (funnel chest).

Pectus Carinatum

Forward-protruding sternum (pigeon chest).

Crepitus

Crackling sensation from air in subcutaneous tissue, palpable under skin.

Bronchophony

Voice sound technique: patient says “ninety-nine”; clear transmission indicates lung consolidation.

Egophony

Voice sound where “ee” heard as “ay” over consolidated lung tissue.

Tachypnea

Rapid, shallow breathing > 24 breaths/min.

Bradypnea

Slow breathing < 10 breaths/min.

Hyperventilation

Increased rate and depth of breathing causing CO₂ blow-off.

Hypoventilation

Irregular, shallow respirations with CO₂ retention.

Crackles

Adventitious, discontinuous popping sounds; fine or coarse; seen in pneumonia, heart failure.

Pleural Friction Rub

Grating sound from inflamed pleurae rubbing; both inspiration and expiration.

Wheeze

High- or low-pitched musical sound from narrowed airways (asthma, COPD).

Stridor

High-pitched “crowing” heard louder in neck; indicates upper airway obstruction—emergency.

Atelectasis

Collapsed, airless alveoli causing decreased breath sounds and tactile fremitus.

Pneumonia

Lung infection with alveolar consolidation; produces crackles, fever, tachypnea.

Pleural Effusion

Fluid accumulation in pleural space; can be transudate, exudate, or empyema.

Pneumothorax

Free air in pleural space leading to lung collapse; causes unequal chest expansion and absent sounds.

Tail of Spence

Extension of breast tissue into the axilla; common site for breast tumors.

Montgomery’s Glands

Sebaceous glands in areola that secrete protective lipid during lactation.

Cooper Ligaments

Suspensory ligaments supporting breast tissue.

Quadrants of the Breast

Upper outer, upper inner, lower outer, lower inner; used to localize findings.

Central Axillary Nodes

Deep nodes high in the axilla receiving lymph from other axillary groups.

Pectoral (Anterior) Nodes

Lymph nodes along lateral edge of pectoralis major, inside the anterior axillary fold.

Subscapular (Posterior) Nodes

Nodes along lateral edge of scapula, inside posterior axillary fold.

Lateral Axillary Nodes

Nodes along humerus, inside the upper arm.

Mastalgia

Breast pain.

Galactorrhea

Milky nipple discharge unrelated to normal lactation.

Gynecomastia

Benign enlargement of male breast tissue due to estrogen–testosterone imbalance.

Breast Self-Examination

Monthly self-check using circular motions in an up-and-down pattern while lying and standing.

Retraction Screening

Inspection maneuver (arms up, hands on hips, leaning forward) to detect skin dimpling or nipple retraction.

Breast Changes With Aging

Atrophy of glandular tissue and Cooper ligaments causing pendulous, sagging breasts with granular feel.