CT Thorax anatomy/venous/contrast (written test)

the base of each lung sits directly on this dome shaped muscular structure that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavity and attaches to the lumbar spine via tendinous structures. This dome-shaped muscle structure that allows many structures to ascend and descend the chest cavity is know as the

diaphragm

this muscle aids in abducting the humerus and stabilizing the glenohumeral joint to prevent downward dislocation of the humerus when a radiography student carries their heavy backpack full of textbooks. The tendon in this muscle is the most frequently injured rotator cuff tendon as a result to where the tendon is located in the upper limb 

supraspinatus 

this inferior and elongated muscle lies inferior to the infraspinatus muscle and is one of the rotator cuff muscles which allows lateral rotation of the arm. It originates from the lateral border of the dorsal scapular surface and inserts into the greater tubercle of the humerus and stabilizes the glenohumeral joint this muscle is known as 

teres minor 

this muscle allows for rotation of the humerus and shoulder and its primary action is to medially (internally) rotate the shoulder and adducts the humerus. It is the only muscle of the rotator cuff located on the anterior surface of the scapula and its tendon inserts on the lesser tubercle of the humerus 

subscapularis 

very large triangular shape that lies below the scapular spine in the infraspinatus fossa. Laterally rotates the humerus and stabilizes the glenohumeral joint 

infraspinatus 

this fan shaped muscle covers the superior portion of the thorax and is responsible for arm flexion, adducting the arm against resistance and rotating the arm medially. This muscle allows an individual to perform such actions as throwing a ball or rock climbing and assists with forced inspiration 

pectoralis major 

originates from the border of the ribs and attached to the intercostal spaces during inspiration of the lungs; external, internal, and innermost set of muscles that aids in forced inspiration by allowing the thoracic cavity to expand

intercostal 

this muscle covers the inferior portion of the back and this muscle extends from the spinous process of the inferiorly from T6, iliac crest and the 3rd and 4th inferior ribs to the distal end of the inter tubercular groove of the humerus. This muscle medially rotates and adducts the humerus and allows an individual to do the following actions; swimming and rowing

latissimus dorsi 

function is to stabilize, elevate, retracts and depresses the scapula. Very large triangular muscle covering the posterior aspect of the neck and superior half of the trunk. Connects the upper limb to the cranium at the external occipital protuberance and the vertebral column by the spinous processes of C7-T12. 

trapezius 

this very large and powerful muscle originates on the clavicle, acromion, and scapular spine. Primary function is to abduct the arm 

deltoid 

the diaphragm is attached to the lumbar spine via 2 tendinous structures known as

crura

this flat, rectangular scapula muscle that extends from the posterior surface of the scapula at the inferior angle of scapula and inserts into the medial portion of the bicipital groove of humerus and is responsible for adduction and medially rotates the humerus 

teres major 

this smaller, triangular, flat muscle lies beneath the major muscle and act to depress the scapula and assists the serrates anterior muscle in pulling the scapula forward and stabilization of the scapula. This muscle attaches to the coracoid process and its primary action to depress the downwardly rotate the scapula

pectoralis minor

this thorax muscle originates from the spinous processes and supraspinatus ligament of C7-T2 to rib pairs 2 and 5 and aids in “forced” inspiration

serratus posterior superior

this thorax muscle originates from the spinous processes and supraspinatus ligament T11-L2 to rib pairs 9 to 12 and aids in forced expiration 

serratus posterior inferior 

this boxers muscle is responsible for the anterolateral movement, protraction, upward rotation and stabilization of the scapula and originates from the upper 8th and 9th ribs and inserts into the medial border of the scapula. This muscle functions for movements as pushing, throwing, and reaching forward and individuals that injury this muscle or if the muscle is weak this individual tends to have a protruding scapula (scapular wing) 

serratus anterior 

name 2 anatomical structures that pass through the diaphragm 

aorta, azygos vein, inferior vena cava, esophagus, thoracic duct

name the 4 muscles that compromise the rotator cuff that stabilizes the shoulder joint 

supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis 

this arterial vessel curves posterior to the clavicle into the axillary region of the right side of the upper limb and originates from the innominate artery. It is more laterally located than the common carotid artery

right subclavian artery

this vessel originates directly from the aortic arch and is the 2nd branch off this vessel. They supply the arterial blood flow to the head and neck with these vessels are lateral to the trachea in the neck

left common carotid artery

this arterial vessel articulates directly from the innominate artery posterior to the sternoclavicular (SC) joint. These vessels supply arterial blood flow to the right side of the neck and head

right common carotid artery

these structures are the smallest, thinnest-walled blood vessels in the circulatory system to act as a link between the arterial and venous system. They interchange with the alveoli of the respiratory system to facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide and waste exchange

capillaries

this vessel is also known as the innominate artery and is the largest and major vessel from the aortic arch. This vessel ascends obliquely to the upper border of the right SC joint and will bifurcate into two separate vessels.

brachiocephalic artery

this arterial vessel will arise directly from the aortic arch posterior to the 2nd branch off the aortic arch and they run laterally towards the axilla region to form the axillary artery on the left side of the upper limb

left subclavian artery

these arterial vessels branch directly from the aortic sinus and supplies the myocardium of the heart with the purest oxygenated blood. The right side feeds the posterior inferior portion of the heart and the left side feeds more of the anterior portion of the heart

coronary artery

these bilateral vessels supply blood to the pectoral girdle and arm. they originate from the subclavian arteries at the level of the 1st rib. In axial images, these vessels are seen longitudinally sectioned outside of the ribs extending toward the region of the shoulder

axillary artery

these bilateral arterial vessels originate from subclavian arteries to pass through the vertebral transverse foramina of the cervical vertebra. They enter the skull through the hole in the cranium, to the dura mater to the subarachnoid space to supply blood to the posterior brain at the circle of willis to become the basilar artery

vertebral artery

the largest arterial vessel that originates from the left ventricle to supply arterial blood supply to the rest of the body and divides into 3 separate sections or parts

aorta

this vessel is one of the largest venous vessels in the body draining deoxygenated blood from upper thorax, neck, head, and upper limbs and if formed by the junction of the brachiocephalic veins. It drains deoxygenated blood flow into the right atrium of the heart. It is found on the right on axial images and does not appear once a tech scans to the level or below the right atrium on an axial image.

superior vena cava

the largest venous vessel drains most of the lower half of the body and ascends through the opening in the diaphragm and terminates in a chamber of the heart. It is located within the retroperitoneal cavity and originates at the internal and external iliac arteries

inferior vena cava

these bilateral large vessels receive returning blood flow from the subclavian veins and the junction of the internal jugular veins to join with both the right and left sides to form the superior vena cava

brachiocephalic veins

this vessel crosses the vertebra to the right behind the aorta to join the azygos vein at approximately T7-T9 and drains the inferior half of the left posterior thoracic cage. This vessel is located to the left of the vertebral body on an axial image

hemiazygos vein

these vessels receive their venous blood supply from the brachial veins of the upper extremity and enters the axilla of the shoulder girdle to form this venous vessel. They drain blood from the upper extremity and shoulder girdle and dump into the subclavian veins

axillary veins

these vessels are the largest that exit the base of the skull to drain blood supply from the brain. They also drain venous blood supply from the superficial parts of the face and neck. These larger and deeper vessels will unite with the subclavian veins. The right side of these vessels are larger than the left side and they run laterally to the common carotid arteries and posterior to the internal carotid artery of the upper neck

internal jugular veins

these bilateral venous vessels are a continuation of the axillary veins. They begin at the thoracic inlet as they cross over the first rib and drain to form the brachiocephalic vein. They lie anterior to the adjacent subclavian arteries

subclavian veins

this venous vessel drains much of the blood flow from the posterior thorax and upper abdomen into the posterior surface of the superior vena cava after this vessel ascends through the diaphragm opening. This vessel is located to the right side of the vertebral body on an axial image

azygos vein

name the 3 major parts of the aorta

ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending aorta

name the venous structure that carries oxygenated blood back to the left atrium of the heart to circulate to the rest of the body

pulmonary veins

what is the manubrium 

superior portion of sternum, articulates with 1st rib, level of 3-4 thoracic vertebrae 

what is the body of the sternum

middle portion, largest part of sternum between manubrium and xiphoid process, has costal notches that articulate with ribs 3-7 

what is the xiphoid process

most inferior part of sternum at vertebral level of T9-T10

what is the sternal angle

transverse ridge between the manubrium and the body of the sternum at vertebral level of T4-T5 and articulates with the 2nd rib 

which rib articulates with the manubrium of sternum 

1st rib 

which rib articulates with the sternal angle of the sternum 

2nd rib 

which ribs articulates with the body of the sternum

3-7

what type of bone is the scapula (shoulder blades) classified as

flat bone

what is the acromion process of the scapula

process that projects over the top of the shoulder to join the lateral end of the clavicle

what is the coracoid process of the scapula

bony projection on the anterior portion of the scapula. Coracoid provides attachment for the pectorals minor muscle

what is the glenoid cavity 

bony projection from lateral portion of the scapula that forms the socket for the head of the humerus 

what are the borders of the scapula

medial (intervertebral) border, lateral (axillary) border, inferior angle is the most inferior portion of scapula 

what type of bone is the clavicle (collar bone) classified as

long bone

what is the clavicle (collar bone)

part of shoulder girdle that connects manubrium of sternum to the acromion process of the scapula. Consists of acromial end, body, sternal end

describe the SC joints 

are formed by the sternal end of the clavicle and the manubrium and 1st rib cartilage 

describe the AC joints

formed by the acromial end of the clavicle and the acromion process of the scapula 

how many ribs are true ribs and what do they attach to

1-7, attach to sternum

what ribs are false ribs and what do they attach to

8-12, don’t attach directly to sternum and attach to rib 7s cartilage

what ribs are floating ribs and what do they attach to

11-12, attach to vertebrae, ribs articulate anteriorly they appear obliqued

what are 2 short rounded pieces that extend posteriorly between the body of vertebrae and the transverse processes

pedicles

what are 2 flattened plates of bone on vertebrae passing towards midline from each pedicle and unite posteriorly to form the spinous process

lamina 

processes that are on right and left sides of vertebrae and extend laterally from the junction of the pedicle and lamina

transverse processes 

what are special characteristics of thoracic vertebrae 

contain costal facets to articulate with heads of ribs, long downward pointing spinous processes, transverse costal facets except on T11-12 

what 2 places and joints do the ribs articulate with the thoracic vertebrae

head of rib and vertebral body = costovertebral joint, tubercle of rib and transverse process of vertebrae = costotransverse joint

what is the landmark associated with T1

SC joints

what is the landmark associated with T2-T3

jugular notch

what is the landmark associated with T4-T5

sternal angle of sternum

what is the landmark associated with T7

inferior angle fo scapula

what is the landmark associated with T9-T10 

xiphoid process 

what is costal cartilage

flexible connective tissue that connects with the anterior end of the rib to the sternum

what are the costochondral joints

located on anterior end of the rib and the adjacent costal cartilage (between rib and costal cartilage) 

what are the interchondral joints

found between the costal cartilages of the 6 and 7th rib, 7th and 8th rib, 8th and 9th ribs

what is the parietal pleura

outer layer that lines the thoracic musculoskeletal wall of chest

what is the visceral pleura

Inner layer that covers each lung

what is the mediastinal pleura 

connective tissue surrounding the structures of the mediastinum (GHETT) outer layer

what are the 5 structures of the mediastinum

Great vessels, heart, esophagus, trachea, thymus gland (GHETT)

what is the pleural cavity

the space between the lung and chest wall between the parietal and visceral pleura

what is the apex of the lung

superior upper bluntly pointed end of lung reaches 1 inch above clavicle 

what is the base of the lung

broad inferior portion of lung is concave and rests on the diaphragm

what are the costophrenic angles of the lungs

where the diaphragm meets the ribs on a chest x ray. Appear as sharp, downward pointing angles

how many lobes does the right lung have

3 lobes (is bigger lung)

how many lobes does the left lung have and why 

2 lobes to accommodate for heart on left side 

how many fissures does the right lung have

2 fissures the oblique and horizontal

how many fissures does the left lung have

1 fissure the oblique fissure

what does the diaphragm attach to

lumbar vertebrae by crura muscles of diaphragm

what is the hilum of the lung

depression or indention on the medial surface of each lungs where the structures enter or leave the lung 

what is the most commonly injured muscle of the Thorax

supraspinatus

muscle that consists of a major and minor part, diamond shaped lies deep to the trapezius

rhomboid muscle 

what is the nasal cavity

2 chambers of the nose. The nostrils are the 2 openings into the nasal cavities

what is the pharynx (throat), what are the 3 parts 

lies posterior to nasal cavities, mouth, and larynx and extends down to the opening of the esophagus. Nasopharynx, oral pharynx, laryngeal pharynx

where does the nasopharynx extend to and from

base of skull to the soft palate (behind nasal cavity)

where does the oropharynx extend to and from

soft palate to tip of epiglottis (behind oral cavity)

where does the laryngopharynx extend to and from 

epiglottis to cricoid cartilage (behind larynx) 

what is the larynx

voice box, triangular box shape that lies anterior to the neck, extends laryngeal pharynx and continues to trachea 

what is the trachea

windpipe, hollow tube 11cm long in length extending from larynx to the bronchi of lungs. Made of 16-20 cartilaginous rings that prevent collapsed lung

what is the carina 

ridge of cartilage between the right and left main bronchi openings at approximately T4 

what are bronchi

right and left main bronchi go into each lung then divides into a bronchus for each lobe

which bronchi is smaller and more angled

left bronchi

which parts of the cardiovascular and respiratory system allows oxygenation to take place 

cardiovascular system- capillaries, respiratory system- alveoli sacs 

what are bronchioles 

formed when the smaller bronchi divide and smallest branch into alveoli 

what are the alveolar sacs/alveoli 

air sac made of many alveoli that is responsible for oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange with capillaries of circulatory system and alveoli of respiratory system 

pair of organs situated within the rib cage consisting of spongy elastic sacs with branching passages into which air is drawn. Oxygen is passed into blood as carbon dioxide is removed

lungs