Thoracic Wall and Autonomic Nervous System

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts, structures, and functions related to the thoracic wall and the autonomic nervous system.

Thorax

The region of the body between the neck and abdomen that houses vital organs such as the heart and lungs.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary functions of thoracic organs, including heart rate and glandular secretions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for 'rest and digest' activities.

Thoracic Wall

Composed of skin, muscles (like intercostal muscles), skeletal elements (ribs, sternum), and neurovascular structures.

Ribs

12 pairs of curved flat bones forming the lateral walls of the thoracic cage.

True Ribs

Ribs 1–7 that attach directly to the sternum via their own costal cartilage.

False Ribs

Ribs 8–10 that do not attach directly to the sternum but join the cartilage of the rib above.

Floating Ribs

Ribs 11–12 that have no anterior attachment.

Sternum

A flat bone located in the anterior midline of the thorax, consisting of three parts: manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.

Thoracic Vertebrae

The segment of the vertebral column that consists of twelve vertebrae (T1-T12), forming part of the thoracic cage.

Costovertebral Joints

Joints formed between the head of the rib and the vertebral bodies of adjacent thoracic vertebrae.

Costotransverse Joints

Joints formed between the tubercle of the rib and the transverse process of the corresponding vertebra.

Vagus Nerve

The 10th cranial nerve, primarily motor, innervating structures in the head, neck, thorax, and abdomen.

Preganglionic Neuron

The first neuron in the autonomic nervous system pathway, located in the CNS and synapsing with postganglionic neurons in ganglia.

Postganglionic Neuron

The second neuron in the autonomic nervous system pathway, extending from ganglia to target organs.

Autonomic Ganglion

A collection of neuron cell bodies located outside the CNS that serve as relay stations for autonomic signaling.

Celiac Ganglia

Ganglia located around the origin of the celiac trunk, involved in the autonomic nervous system.

Accessory Muscles of Breathing

Muscles that assist breathing, especially during deep or forced respiration, such as the subcostal and transversus thoracis.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

A condition caused by compression of the brachial plexus or subclavian vessels as they pass between the first rib and clavicle.