Thoracic Skeleton
12 pairs of C shaped ribs
Ribs 1-7
join at sternum with cartilage end points (true ribs)
Ribs 8-10
join sternum with combined cartilage at 7th rib (false ribs)
Ribs 11 + 12
no anterior attachment; attached to T11 + T12 (floating ribs)
Sternum: Manubrium
joins to clavicle and 1st rib; jugular notch
Sternum: Angle of Louis
found T4-T5 & marks bifurcation of atria
Sternum: Body
junction of manubrium with sternal body and attachment to 2nd rib
-sternal angle (Angle of Louis)
Sternum: Xiphoid Process
distal portion of sternum
-most common area of fractures in the sternum (chest compressions)
Fractured ribs 3-8 leads to:
Flail Chest (uneven)
Thorax
formed by 12 pairs of ribs that join posteriorly with the thoracic spine and anteriorly with the sternum (except ribs 11 + 12)
Thoracic Cavity
Lung Function
oxygenation
Mediastinum Components
heart, aorta, superior and inferior vena cava, trachea, major bronchi, espohagus
Pneumothorax
collapsed lung
Mediastinal Shift
organs shift to where they do not belong
-caused by Pneumothorax
Reference Lines
points for dictating pain or location (ex. mass) when documenting / diagnosing
Anterior Chest Reference Lines
Posterior Chest Reference Lines
Lateral Chest Reference Lines
Anterior Thoracic Landmarks
-suprasternal notch (U shaped depression)
-sternum
-manubrium (angle of Louis)
-body
-xiphoid process
Posterior Thoracic Landmarks
-vertebra prominens (C7 projection at the end of neck, anterior to T1)
-spinous processes (fractured easily)
-scapula (shoulder blade; helps arm with degree of motion)
Superior Vena Cava
brings deoxygenated blood from head, eyes, neck and upper limbs to the R atrium of the heart
Inferior Vena Cava
brings deoxygenated blood from the abdomen and lower extremities to the R atrium
Right Atrium
receives deoxygenated blood from SVC + IVC
RA → tricuspid valve → RV