THORACIC WALL

Clavicle

bony ridges at the junction of thorax and neck

Clavicles demarcate the ______ between _____

superior division
zones of lymphatic drainage

Jugular Notch

lies at the level of the inferior border of the body of T2 vertebra and the space between the 1st and 2nd thoracic spinous processes

Manubrium

approximately 4 cm long, lies at the level of the bodies of T3 and T4 vertebrae

Sternal angle

lies at level of the T4-T5 IV disc and the space between the 3rd and 4th thoracic spinous processes

Body of Sternum

approximately 10 cm long, lies anterior to the right border of the heart and vertebrae T5-T9

Intermammary cleft

midline depression or cleavage between the mature female breast and overlies the sternal body

Xiphoid process

lies in a slight depression

Epigastric fossa

this fossa is used as a guide in CPR to properly position the hand on the inferior part of the sternum

Xiphisternal joint

often seen as a ridge at the level of the inferior border of T9 vertebra

Costal margins

formed by the joined costal cartilages of the 7th-10th ribs,

Infrasternal angle

formed by the converging right and left costal margins

Rib counting in physical examination starts with the

2nd Rib

Rib that is not palpable

1st Rib

Anterior Median Line

indicates the intersection of the median plane with the anterior thoracic wall

Midclavicular line

passes through the mid point of the clavicle, parallel to AML

Anterior Axillary Line

runs vertically along the anterior axillary fold that is formed by the inferolateral order of the pectoralis major as it spans from the thoracic cage to the humerus in the arm

Midaxillary line

runs from the apex of the axillary fossa (armpit), parallel to the AAL

Posterior Axillary Line

Drawn vertically along the posterior axillary fold formed by the latissimus dorsi and teres major muscles as they span from the back to the humerus

Posterior median line

vertical line along the tips of the spinous processes of the vertebrae

Scapular line

parallel to the posterior median line and intersect the inferior angles of the scapula

Thorax

part of the body between neck and abdomen, chest superior part of the trunk

What is the shape of thoracic cavity wall?

Truncated cone (cone shape, narrow superior, wider inferior)

3 Compartment of thorax

mediastinum
right and left pulmonary cavities

Mediastinum houses?

thoracic viscera

Right and Left Pulmonary artery houses?

Lungs

Thoracic wall

includes the thoracic cage and the muscles that extend between the ribs as well as the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles, and fascia covering its anterolateral aspect

Mammary gland of the breast lie within?

subcutaneous tissue of the thoracic wall

Function of thoracic cage

-Protect vital thoracic and abdominal organs from external forces
-Resist negative internal pressures generated by the elastic recoil of the lungs and inspiratory movements
-Provide attachment for and support the weight of the upper limbs

Ribs

curved, flat bones that form the most of the thoracic cage

3 types of ribs

True (vertebrocostal)
False (vertebrochondral)
Floating (vertebral, free)

True ribs

1st to 7th, attach directly to the sternum through their own costal cartilages

False ribs

8th to 10th, cartilages are connected to the cartilage of the rib above them; thus the connection with the sternum is indirect

Floating

11th to 12th, rudimentary cartilages of these ribs do not connect even indirectly with the sternum; instead they end in the posterior abdominal musculature

Typical Ribs (similar)

3rd to 9th

Components of typical ribs

head
neck
tubercle
body

Atypical ribs (dissimilar)

1st, 2nd, 10th to 12th

Costal Cartilages

prolong the ribs anteriorly and contribute to the elasticity of the thoracic wall, providing a flexible attachment for their anterior ends

Intercostal space

separate the ribs and their costal cartilages form one another. The spaces are named according to the rib forming the superior border of the space.

How many is the intercostal space and nerves?

11

Subcostal space

the space below the 12th rib does not lie between ribs

Thoracic vertebra

Independent, have bodies, vertebral arches, and seven processes for muscular and articular connections

Bilateral costal facets

usually occurring in inferior and superior pairs, for articulation with the heads of ribs

Costal facets

articulation with the tubercles of ribs, except for the inferior two or three thoracic vertebrae

Sternum

flat, elongated bone that forms the middle of the anterior part of the thoracic cage

3 parts of sternum

Manubrium
Body
Xiphoid process

In adolescents the 3 parts of sternum are connected together by?

Synchondroses