Biology 122 Spring, 2008

Laboratory 11

Thoracic wall and Lungs

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this laboratory you should:

1. The basic structure of the thoracic cage and its parts (ribs, sternum, thoracic vertebrae).

a) The names of the different types of ribs, their basic parts, and articulations.

b) The structures associated with a typical intercostal space (muscles, blood supply and the intercostal nerve). The position of the transversus thoracis muscle should also be understood.

c) The parts of the sternum and their significance as surface anatomy landmarks.

d) The origin, course, distribution, and branches of the internal thoracic artery (anterior intercostal, musculophrenic, and superior epigastric arteries).

2. The continuity of the thoracic and abdominal wall structures (muscle layers, blood supply and innervation).

3. Understand the mechanisms of inspiration and expiration, especially the functional role of the rib cage, the diaphragm and the visceral and parietal pleura.

4. Be able to draw the lines of pleural reflection on the body wall and understand the position and significance of the pleural recesses

5. Know the names and position of the lobes of the lungs, the names, position and significance of the bronchopulmonary segments, and the arrangement of structures at the root (hilum) of each lung.

6. In normal PA and lateral radiographs, be able to distinguish the images of the trachea, bronchial tree and pulmonary vessels.

7. Have a working knowledge of the essential structures of the lungs (primary and secondary bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli) and be able to discuss the blood supply and the venous and lymphatic drainage of the lung.

PRELABORATORY PREPARATION

1. Read the section on the thoracic wall, and sections on the thoracic apertures, the musculature, nerves and vasculature of the thoracic wall (pp. 75-105). Read the material in the textbook on the breast (p. 105-112).

2. Read the chapters in your textbook covering the lungs and pleural cavities (pp. 112-135). Review material on the mechanisms of respiration and the section on the diaphragm (pp. 325-331).

3. Study the Synopsis of Thoracic Surface Anatomy in the Supplementary Materials on the website for a summary of important thoracic anatomical relationships and landmarks.