Topographical Anatomy of the Thorax
|
| Structure/Space |
Description/Boundaries |
Significance |
| mediastinum, anterior (N231,TG4-35,TG4-36,TG4-37) |
between sternum and pericardial sac; extends from thoracic inlet to diaphragm |
contains sternopericardial ligaments & lymph nodes (Latin, medius = middle + stare = stand, thus that area which stands in the middle of the thorax) |
| mediastinum, middle (N231,TG4-35,TG4-36,TG4-37) |
bounded by pericaridal sac |
contains heart, pericardial cavity, great vessels, and phrenic nerves (Latin, medius = middle + stare = stand, thus that area which stands in the middle of the thorax) |
| mediastinum, posterior (N231,TG4-35,TG4-36,TG4-37) |
between pericaridal sac and vertebral bodies |
contains esophagus, descending thoracic aorta, azygos system, thoracic duct, and lymph nodes (Latin, medius = middle + stare = stand, thus that area which stands in the middle of the thorax) |
| mediastinum, superior (N231,TG4-35,TG4-36,TG4-37) |
bounded by thoracic inlet above and plane through sternal angle below |
contains great vessels, trachea, esophagus, phrenic and vagus nerves (Latin, medius = middle + stare = stand, thus that area which stands in the middle of the thorax) |
| midaxillary line (TG4-01C) |
an imaginary vertical line passing through the middle of the axilla |
used as a surface landmark for descriptive purposes |
| midclavicular line (TG4-01B) |
an imaginary vertical line passing through the midshaft of the clavicle |
used as a surface landmark for descriptive purposes |
| nipple (TG4-01) |
located superficial to the 4th intercostal space in the male and prepuberal female |
location of the left nipple may be used to help locate the apex of heart, which is approximately 8 cm from the midline in the left 5th intercostal space; a surface landmark used to place the stethoscope for auscultation of the bicuspid valve |
| sternal angle (TG4-01A) |
a protrusion on the anterior thoracic wall at the junction of the manubrium and body of the sternum (manubriosternal symphysis) |
sternal angle is the location of the attachment of the costal cartilage of the 2nd rib to the sternum; an imaginary horizontal plane through the sternal angle passes through the T4/T5 intervertebral disc and marks the inferior boundary of the superior mediastinum |
| suprasternal notch |
the notch located at the superior border of the manubrium of the sternum, between the sternal ends of the clavicles |
also known as: jugular notch |
| thoracic inlet |
the opening at the superior end of the rib cage through which cervical structures enter the thorax; bounded by the T1 vertebral body, both of the 1st ribs and their costal cartilages, and the manubrium of the sternum |
thoracic inlet marks the boundary between the neck and the superior mediastinum; also known as: superior thoracic aperture |
| thoracic outlet |
the opening at the inferior end of the rib cage through which thoracic structures exit the thorax; it is bounded by the T12 vertebral body, both 12th ribs, the costal cartilages of ribs 7-12, and the xiphisternal joint |
thoracic outlet is closed by the respiratory diaphragm which is attached at its boundary; also known as: inferior thoracic aperture |
| costal margin (TG4-01A) |
the inferior margin of the lowest costal cartilages and ribs |
serves as part of the origin of the respiratory diaphragm |
Osteology of the Thorax
|
| Bone |
Structure |
Description |
Notes |
| rib(N186,TG4-04,TG4-05) |
|
the bone forming the lateral thoracic wall |
12 pairs; several types are described: typical or "true" ribs, "false" ribs, "floating" ribs; all three types of ribs have many features in common: head, neck, tubercle, angle, body, costal groove |
|
head (N186,TG4-04,TG4-05) |
posteromedial end of the rib |
it articulates with demifacets of two adjacent vertebral bodies |
|
neck (N186,TG4-04,TG4-05) |
the constricted region lateral to the head of the rib |
the neck of the rib is located between the head and the tubercle |
|
tubercle (N186,TG4-04,TG4-05) |
a projection located posteroinferior and lateral to the neck of the rib |
it articulates with the transverse process of a vertebra |
|
body (N186,TG4-04,TG4-05) |
the shaft of the rib |
the body is the longest part of a typical rib |
|
angle (N186,TG4-04,TG4-05) |
the marked angulation of the body located just lateral to the tubercle |
the angle of the rib is its most posterior part |
|
costal groove (N186,TG4-04,TG4-05) |
the groove on the inner surface of the inferior border of the body of the rib |
it accommodates the intercostal neurovascular bundle; the costal groove provides a protective function for the intercostal neurovascular bundle, |
| ribs 1-7(TG4-04A, TG4-04B)) |
|
"true" ribs - those which attach directly to the sternum |
true ribs actually attach to the sternum by means of a costal cartilage and a true synovial joint |
| rib 1 |
|
the most cephalic rib |
it is the broadest, shortest and widest of the ribs; the scalene tubercle marks its superior surface and is an elevation between grooves for the subclavian vein & artery; the scalene tubercle is the attachment site of the scalenus anterior m. |
| rib 2 |
|
the rib attached to the 1st and 2nd thoracic vertebrae |
it articulates via a costal cartilage with the sternum at the level of the sternal angle; its superior surface is roughened by the attachments of the scalene mm. |
| rib 8-10 |
|
"false" ribs |
they articulate via costal cartilages with the costal cartilage of rib 7 |
| rib 11-12 |
|
"floating" ribs |
the anterior ends of these ribs do not articulate with the sternum or the costal cartilage of the rib above; their costal cartilages are short and end in the muscle of the posterolateral abdominal wall |
| sternum (TG4-04A) |
|
the broad flat bone forming the anterior thoracic wall |
it is formed by three parts: manubrium, body, xiphoid process |
|
manubrium (TG4-04A, Practical) |
the superior part of the sternum |
Latin, manubrium = handle, as in the handle of a sword |
|
jugular (suprasternal) notch (TG4-04A) |
a notch on the superior border of the manubrium |
it is located between the clavicular notches which articulate with the sternal ends of the clavicles (Latin, jugular = throat) |
|
clavicular notch |
a notch on the superolateral border of the manubrium |
it articulates with the sternal end of the clavicle |
|
sternal angle (TG4-04A) |
the junction of the manubrium and body of the sternum |
it is an anterior projection located at the level of the costal cartilage of rib 2; an important landmark for internal thoracic anatomy |
|
body (TG4-04A, Practical) |
the middle part of the sternum |
it articulates with the manubrium superiorly and the xiphoid process inferiorly; laterally it articulates with the costal cartilages of ribs 2-7 |
|
xiphoid process (TG4-04A) |
the inferior part of the sternum |
it is variable in size, shape & ossification; it articulates with the body of the sternum superiorly (Greek, xiphos = sword + eidos = appearance, the tip of the sternum is pointed like the tip of a sword) |
Muscles of the Thoracic Wall
|
| Muscle |
Origin |
Insertion |
Action |
Innervation |
Artery |
Notes |
Image |
| external intercostal(N188,N189,TG4-08) |
lower border of a rib within an intercostal space |
upper border of the rib below, coursing, downward and medially |
keeps the intercostal space from blowing out or sucking in during respiration |
intercostal nerves (T1-T11) |
intercostal a. |
11 in number; they extend from the tubercle of the rib to the costochondral junction; continuous with the external intercostal membrane anteriorly (Latin, costa = rib) |
 |
| internal intercostal(N188,N254,TG4-09,TG4-10) |
upper border of a rib |
lower border of rib above, coursing up and medially |
keeps the intercostal space from blowing out or sucking in during respiration |
intercostal nerves (T1-T11) |
intercostal a. |
11 in number; they extend from the margin of the sternum to the angle of the rib; continuous posteriorly with the internal intercostal membrane (Latin, costa = rib) |
 |
| innermost intercostal (N189,254,TG4-09,TG4-10, Practical) |
upper borders of a rib |
fibers course up and medially to insert on the inferior margin of the rib above |
keeps the intercostal space from blowing out or sucking in during respiration |
intercostal nerves (T1-T11) |
intercostal a. |
innermost intercostal mm. have the same fiber direction as the internal intercostal mm., the only difference being that they lie deep to the intercostal neurovascular bundle (Latin, costa = rib) |
 |
| subcostalis (TG4-10) |
angle of ribs |
angle of a rib 2-3 ribs above origin |
compresses the intercostal spaces |
intercostal nerves |
intercostal a. |
subcostalis, transversus thoracis & innermost intercostal mm. make up the deepest intercostal muscle layer (Latin, costa = rib) |
 |
| transversus thoracis (N189,TG4-09, Practical) |
posterior surface of the sternum |
inner surfaces of costal cartilages 2-6 |
compresses the thorax for forced expiration |
intercostal nerves 2-6 |
internal thoracic a. |
transversus thoracis, subcostalis & innermost intercostal mm. make up the innermost intercostal muscle layer |
 |
Arteries
|
| Artery |
Source |
Branches |
Supply to |
Notes |
| epigastric, superior (N191,TG4-08,TG4-09, Practical) |
internal thoracic a. (N33,N191,TG4-08,TG4-09) |
no named branches |
upper rectus abdominis m., upper abdominal wall |
superior epigastric a. is the direct continuation of the internal thoracic a.; it anastomoses with the inferior epigastric a. within the rectus abdominis m. |
| intercostal, anterior (N191,TG4-08,TG4-09) |
internal thoracic a. (upper 6 intercostal spaces), musculophrenic a. (7-10th intercostal spaces) |
unnamed muscular branches |
intercostal muscles anteriorly; skin overlying the intercostal muscles |
there are two anterior intercostal aa. per side per intercostal space, one coursing above and one coursing below each rib |
| intercostal, posterior (N192,TG4-10,TG4-39, Practical1, Practical2) |
highest intercostal (upper 2 intercostal spaces), descending thoracic aorta (3rd-11th intercostal spaces) |
posterior br., spinal br., anterior br., collateral br., lateral cutaneous br. |
intercostal muscles, spinal cord and vertebral column, deep back muscles, skin and superficial fascia overlying the intercostal spaces |
posterior intercostal aa. supply the lateral and posterior portions of the intercostal space; anterior intercostal aa. supply the anterior portions of the intercostal spaces |
| internal thoracic (N33,N191,TG4-08,TG4-09, Practical) |
subclavian a. (1st part) |
pericardiacophrenic a., perforating brs., anterior intercostal aa., mediastinal brs., thymic brs., musculophrenic a., superior epigastric a. |
mediastinum, anterior thoracic wall, anterior abdominal wall, respiratory diaphragm |
internal thoracic a. is also known as: internal mammary a. |
| musculophrenic N191,TG4-08,TG4-09, Practical1, Practical2) |
internal thoracic a. |
anterior intercostal aa. |
anterior diaphragm, anterior aspects of intercostal spaces 7-10 or 11 |
musculophrenic a. supplies muscles that develop in the septum transversum (Greek, phreno = diaphragm) |
| pericardiacophrenic (N194,N212,TG4-18) |
internal thoracic a. |
pericardial br., sternal br., mediastinal br. |
pericardial sac, pleura, diaphragm |
pericardiacophrenic a. accompanies the phrenic n. |
| aorta, ascending (N212,TG4-37,TG4-39, Practical) |
left ventricle of heart |
left & right coronary aa., continues as aortic arch |
heart, entire body |
(Greek, aorta = to lift) |
| aortic arch (N212,TG4-37,TG4-39, Practical1, Practical2, Practical3) |
the continuation of the ascending aorta |
brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid a., left subclavian a. |
the entire body except the heart |
aortic arch continues as the descending thoracic aorta; the ligamentum arteriosum connects to the inferior surface of the aortic arch and marks the location of the fetal ductus arteriosus(Greek, aorta = to lift) |
| pulmonary trunk (N212,TG4-19,TG4-29, Practical) |
right ventricle |
right pulmonary a., left pulmonary aa. |
lungs |
the pulmonary trunk carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the right
and left pulmonary aa.; each pulmonary a. carries deoxygenated blood to the
hilum of one lung; bronchial aa. supply oxygenated blood to the tissues of
the lung as far distally in the bronchial tree as the respiratory bronchioles |
Nerves
|
| Nerve |
Source |
Branches |
Motor |
Sensory |
Notes |
| intercostal n.(N189,N254,TG4-09,TG4-10, Practical) |
ventral primary rami of spinal nerves T1-T11 |
lateral & anterior cutaneous brs. |
intercostal muscles; abdominal wall muscles (via T7-T11); muscles of the forearm and hand (via T1) |
skin of the chest and abdomen anterolaterally; skin of the medial side of the upper limb (via T1-T2) |
intercostal n.travels below the posterior intercostal a. in the costal groove (Latin, costa = rib) |
| phrenic n. (N194,N212TG4-09,TG4-18, Practical1, Practical2) |
ventral primary rami of spinal nerves C3-C5 (cervical plexus) |
no named branches |
skeletal muscle of the respiratory diaphragm |
diaphragmatic pleura; some fibers contributed to the pericardium and to the adjacent mediastinal and costal pleurae |
phrenic n. crosses the anterior surface of the anterior scalene m. (Greek, phren = diaphragm, from which we derive our word "frenzy," for the diaphragm was considered to be the seat of emotions) |
| subcostal n. |
ventral primary ramus of T12 |
lateral cutaneous br., anterior cutaneous br. |
muscles of the abdominal wall |
skin of the anterolateral abdominal wall |
the subcostal n. is equivalent to a posterior intercostal n. found at higher thoracic levels (Latin, costa = rib) |
| vagus n. (N206,N212,TG4-19,TG4-36, Practical) |
medulla: dorsal motor nucleus (GVE preganglionic parasympathetic); inferior ganglion (GVA); nucleus ambiguus (SVE); superior ganglion (GSA); inferior ganglion(SVA) |
auricular br., pharyngeal br., superior laryngeal, superior and inferior cervical cardiac brs., recurrent laryngeal n., thoracic cardiac brs., brs. to the pulmonary plexus, brs. to the esophageal plexus, anterior and posterior vagal trunks |
SVE: intrinsic muscles of the larynx, pharynx (except stylopharyngeus), and palate (except tensor veli palatini); GVE: smooth muscle of the respiratory tree & gut (proximal to the left colic flexure), heart; secretomotor: mucous glands of the larynx, respiratory tree, pharynx and gut; secretomotor to digestive glands |
GSA: skin of the external auditory meatus; GVA: viscera of head, neck, thorax & abdomen proximal to the left colic flexure; SVA: taste from the epiglottis |
also known as: CN X, 10th cranial nerve; the vagus n. passes through the jugular foramen to exit the posterior cranial fossa; (Latin, vagus = wanderer so called because of its extensive distribution to the body cavities) |
| recurrent laryngeal n. (TG4-36,TG4-45) |
vagus n. (X) |
esophageal brs., tracheal brs., cardiac brs., pharyngeal brs., inferior laryngeal n. |
upper esophagus, lower pharynx, laryngeal mm. (except cricopharyngeus); smooth muscle of the trachea; secretomotor to mucosal glands in the upper esophagus, lower pharynx, larynx below the vocal fold, trachea; cardiac muscle of the heart (slows heart rate, decreases force of contraction) |
upper esophagus, lower pharynx, larynx below the vocal folds, GVA from heart |
right recurrent laryngeal n. loops posteriorly around the right subclavian a.; left recurrent laryngeal n. loops posteriorly around the aortic arch and ligamentum arteriosum; the inferior laryngeal br. supplies all intrinsic muscles of the larynx EXCEPT the cricothyroid m. |
Viscera/Fascia of the Chest
|
| Organ/Part of Organ |
Location/Description |
Notes |
| pleura (N241) |
serous membrane lining the pleural cavity |
there are two types of pleura: visceral pleura covers the lungs, parietal pleura lines the inner surfaces of the walls of pleural cavity; parietal pleura is sensitive to pain but visceral pleura is not sensitive to pain (Greek, pleura = rib, side) |
| cupula (N211,N196,TG4-13, TG4-15) |
serous membrane lining the pleural cavity which extends above the level of the 1st rib into the root of the neck |
cupular pleura is continuous inferiorly with the costal and mediastinal parietal pleurae; it is reinforced by a specialization of scalene fascia (called Sibson's fascia or suprapleural membrane); also known as: cervical parietal pleura or cervical dome of pleura |
| pleura, cervical parietal (TG4-13, TG4-15) |
serous membrane lining the pleural cavity which extends above the level of the 1st rib into the root of the neck |
cervical parietal pleura is continuous inferiorly with the costal and mediastinal parietal pleurae; it is reinforced by a specialization of scalene fascia (called Sibson's fascia or suprapleural membrane); also known as: cupula or cervical dome of pleura (Latin, paries = wall (of a cavity)) |
| pleura, costal parietal (TG4-18, TG4-19) |
serous membrane lining the pleural cavity on the inner surfaces of the ribs, costal cartilages, and intercostal mm. |
costal parietal pleura is continuous anteriorly with the mediastinal parietal pleura at the costomediastinal reflection; it is continuous posteriorly with the mediastinal parietal pleural at the vertebral bodies; it is continuous inferiorly with the diaphragmatic parietal pleura at the costodiaphragmatic reflection; it is continuous superiorly with the cervical parietal pleura at the level of the 1st rib (Latin, paries = wall (of a cavity)) |
| pleura, diaphragmatic parietal (TG4-11B, TG4-12B, TG4-18, TG4-19) |
serous membrane lining the pleural cavity on the superior surface of the diaphragm |
diaphragmatic parietal pleura is continuous superiorly with the costal parietal pleura at the costodiaphragmatic reflection; it is continuous superiorly with the mediastinal pleura at the inferomedial borders of the pleural cavities (Latin, paries = wall (of a cavity)) |
| pleura, mediastinal parietal (TG4-11B, TG4-12B, TG4-18, TG4-19) |
serous membrane lining the pleural cavity on the lateral surface of the mediastinum |
mediastinal parietal pleura is continuous anteriorly with the costal parietal pleura at the costomediastinal reflection; it is continuous inferiorly with the diaphragmatic pleura at the inferomedial borders of the pleural cavities; it is continuous posteriorly with the costal parietal pleura lateral to the vertebral bodies; it is continuous superiorly with the cervical pleura at the level of the 1st rib (Latin, paries = wall (of a cavity)) |
| pleura, visceral (TG4-29) |
serous membrane lining the surfaces of the lungs |
visceral pleura extends into the oblique and horizontal fissures of the lungs; it does not have pain fibers (Latin, viscus = internal organ) |
| pulmonary ligament (N199,N230,N231,TG4-31,TG4-35,TG4-36, Practical) |
fold of pleura located below the root of the lung |
pulmonary ligament is where the visceral pleura and the mediastinal parietal pleura are continuous with each other |
| costodiaphragmatic recess (N230,N231,TG4-13A,TG4-13B,TG4-15, TG4-16,TG4-17, Practical) |
a potential space between the apposing surfaces of the costal and diaphragmatic parietal pleura |
this space extends to the 8th rib in the midclavicular line, 10th rib in the midaxillary line, and 12th rib at the medial scapular/paravertebral line. |
| costomediastinal recess (N230,N206,TG4-13A,TG4-15) |
a potential space between the apposing surfaces of the costal and mediastinal parietal pleura |
this space is more pronounced on the left because of the location of the heart |
| endothoracic fascia (TG4-08) |
connective tissue between inner aspect of chest wall & costal parietal pleura |
equivalent to transversalis fascia layer of the abdomen |
| pericardial sinus, oblique (TG4-20) |
an area of the pericardial cavity located behind the left atrium of heart |
serous pericardium reflects onto the inferior vena cava and pulmonary vv. to define this space |
| pericardial sinus, transverse (TG4-20) |
an area of the pericardial cavity located behind the aorta and pulmonary trunk and anterior to the superior vena cava |
transverse pericardial sinus was a simple structure when the heart tube began to form during development; it separates the outflow vessels from the inflow vessels of the heart |
| pericardium, fibrous (N211, Practical) |
a fibrous sac that attaches to the central tendon of the diaphragm and fuses with the adventitia of the great vessels superiorly |
fibrous pericardium contains the pericardial cavity and heart; it is lined on its inner surface by the parietal layer of serous pericardium; it defines the outermost boundary of the middle mediastinum |
| pericardium, parietal serous (N212,N241,TG4-18,TG4-19) |
serous membrane lining the pericardial cavity; it is located on the inner surface of the fibrous pericardium |
parietal serous pericardium reflects onto the heart at the origins of the great vessels to become continuous with the visceral serous pericardium |
| pericardium, visceral serous (N212,N241,TG4-18,TG4-19) |
serous membrane covering the surface of the heart |
visceral serous pericardium reflects onto the inner surface of the fibrous pericardium at the origins of the great vessels to become continuous with the parietal serous pericardium; also known as: epicardium |
| hilum of lung |
medial surface of the lung |
the point at which the structures forming the root - the main bronchus, pulmonary vessels, bronchial vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves - enter and leave the lung |
| coronary sulcus (N212) |
groove separating atria from ventricles |
coronary sinus, circumflex a., & right coronary a. lie in coronary sulcus, (Latin, coronary = something that is "crown-like", i.e., goes around in a loop) |
| apex (N212,TG4-19, Practical) |
tip of left ventricle |
located 3" left of midline at level of 5th intercostal space |
| base (N212,TG4-19,TG4-22) |
superior aspect of heart |
where aorta, pulmonary trunk & superior vena cava enter the heart |
| atrium, right (TG4-25A, TG4-25C, Practical) |
forms the right margin of the heart |
receives blood from the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava & coronary sinus |
| atrium, left (TG4-26A, TG4-26B, Practical) |
located on the posterior aspect of the heart |
receives blood from the pulmonary vv. |
| auricle TG4-25C, Practical1, Practical2) |
projects anteriorly from the atrium |
one on each atrium, they lie beside aorta & pulmonary trunk (Latin, auricula = little ear, the auricle of the atrium is shaped like a little ear) |
| interventricular sulcus, anterior (TG4-25C) |
groove between ventricles on anterior surface of heart |
anterior interventricular a. & great cardiac v. lie within sulcus (Latin/Greek, holkos (sulcus)= furrow) |
| interventricular sulcus, posterior |
groove between ventricles on diaphragmatic surface of heart |
posterior interventricular a. & middle cardiac v. lie within sulcus (Latin/Greek, holkos (sulcus)= furrow) |
| ligamentum arteriosum (TG4-19,TG4-29, Practical1, Practical2) |
remnant of ductus arteriosus; connects
left pulmonary a. near origin with undersurface of aortic arch |
left recurrent laryngeal n. passes beneath it |
| right (acute) margin (N212,TG4-15 |
inferior margin formed by right ventricle |
called acute due to the sharp angle formed between the anterior and diaphragmatic surfaces of the right ventricle |
| left (obtuse) margin (N212,TG4-15) |
left, upper margin formed by left ventricle |
called obtuse due to the broad curving angle formed by the anterior and diaphragmatic surfaces of the left ventricle |
| trachea (N206,N211,TG4-33,TG4-37) |
main airway that lies anterior to the esophagus |
trachea extends from vertebral level C6 to the level of the T4/5 intervertebral disc; superiorly it is connected to the cricoid cartilage via the cricotracheal ligament; it bifurcates into two primary bronchi (Greek, trachys = rough) |
Clinical Terms
|
| Term |
Definition |
| collateral circulation |
compensatory circulation carried on through secondary channels after obstruction
of the principal vessel supplying the part; collateral circulation is common
around moveable joints |
| shingles (herpes zoster) |
disease in adults caused by Varicella zoster virus (Herpetoviridae), that
in children causes chicken pox; arises by reactivation (usually
associated with a decline in cell-mediated immunity) of latent virus that
persists in spinal or cranial sensory nerve ganglia |
| thoracotomy |
a surgical procedure in which an incision is made opening the chest cavity |
| sternotomy |
midline incision through the sternum |
| funnel chest |
a developmental anomaly in which the lower sternum is posteriorly dislocated
and concavely deformed, resulting in a funnel-shaped thorax; also known as pectus excavatum |
| pigeon chest |
prominence of the breast bone (sternum); also known as pectus carinatum |
| empyema |
the accumulation of pus in a cavity of the body, when used without a descriptive qualifier; it refers to thoracic empyema (Greek, empyema = suppuration) |
| thoracocentesis |
a medical procedure that involves the removal of fluid from the chest cavity using a hollow-bore needle; performed for therapeutic reasons when drawing off large volumes of fluid and for diagnostic reasons (to analyze the fluid) (Greek, -centesis = puncture) |
| pneumothorax |
a collapse of the lung due to an abrupt change in the intrapleural pressure within the chest
cavity; may be due to lung or chest penetration (trauma); may also occur spontaneously
(rupture of the lung - typically in tall, young males); symptoms include shortness of breath and
severe, one-sided (affected side) chest pain on inhalation; signs include decreased breath
sounds and hyperresonance on the affected side. A tension pneumothorax is one which
allows air to enter the pleural space (from a hole in the chest wall or the lung) but not escape
leading to a valve effect pushing the mediastinal structures to the opposite side -
the additional signs and symptoms signaling this medical emergency are shock from decreased
venous return to the heart (IVC is kinked due to mediastinum being pushed to one side) and tracheal deviation away from the
affected side. |
| hemothorax |
blood in the pleural space |
| pleurisy |
inflammation of the pleura with exudation into its cavity and upon its surface; may occur as either an acute or a chronic process; in acute pleurisy the pleura becomes reddened, then covered with an exudate of lymph, fibrin, and cellular elements (the dry stage); the disease may progress to the second stage, in which a copious exudation of serum occurs (stage of liquid effusion); the inflamed surface of the pleura tends to become connected by adhesions, which are usually permanent; symptoms are a stitch in the side, a chill, followed by fever and a dry cough; as effusion occurs there is an onset of dyspnea and a diminution of pain; the patient lies on the affected side (Greek, pleura = a rib or the side) |
| crepitus |
a crackling sound in the lungs or a grating feeling (Latin, crepo = to rattle) |
| tension pneumothorax |
a condition in which the ruptured tissue forms a valve that permits air to enter the chest cavity upon inspiration, but does not allow air to escape during expiration and therefore greatly increases the pressure inside the cavity such that the vessels and trachea are displaced to the opposite side (Greek, pneuma = air + thorax = chest) |
| tachypnea |
abnormally rapid respiration rate; normal resting adult respiration rate is 12-20 breaths per minute (Greek, tachy = quick + pnea/pnoie = breathing)
|
| dyspnea |
difficulty or distress in breathing (Greek, pnea/pnoie = breathing) |
| parasthesia |
an abnormal spontaneous sensation such as burning, pricking, and numbness |
| pleural effusion |
excess fluid in the pleural space. This can be either a transudate or an exudate (Greek, pleura = a rib or the side) |
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