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ANAT 380 Final Exam Questions And
Answers
Muscles of the thoracic wall - Answers✔External intercostal muscles
Diaphragm
Internal intercostal muscles
Diaphragm - Answers✔Thin musculotendinous septum that separates the thoracic and abdominal
cavities
The diaphragm is the principle muscle of respiration (when it contracts, its domes flatten to increase the
volume of the thoracic cavity during inspiration
Right dome of diaphragm - Answers✔Can rise to the level of the upper border of the fifth rib
Left dome of diaphragm - Answers✔Can rise to the level of the lower border of the fifth rib
Central Tendon - Answers✔The peripheral muscular fibres of the diaphragm attach to the inferior
margin of the thoracic cage and the lumbar vertebrae, to then converge on the central tendon, which is
inferior to the fibrous pericardium of the heart
Right Crus - Answers✔A muscular extension of the diaphragm that originates from the anterolateral
surface of the three upper lumbar vertebrae
Left Crus - Answers✔A muscular extension of the diaphragm that originates from the anterolateral
surface of the upper two lumbar vertebrae
Apertures of the diaphragm - Answers✔Caval opening (T8)
Esophageal hiatus (T10)
Aortic hiatus (T12)
Caval opening - Answers✔In the central tendon, at the level of the 8th thoracic vertebra (T8), is an
opening for the inferior vena cava (IVC). The IVC is situated in the posterior thorax on the right side
Eosphageal Hiatus - Answers✔In the right crus at the level of T10, is an opening for the esophagus. As
the esophagus depends through the thorax it deviates to the left lying anterior to the thoracic aorta
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Aortic Hiatus - Answers✔Between the right and left crus, anterior to T12, is an opening for the
abdominal portion of the aorta. It is located on the left side of the posterior thorax
Intercostal Muscles - Answers✔The intercostal muscles (external, internal, and innermost) are a series
of muscle layers running between adjacent ribs, helping to form the chest wall
The intercostal muscles function to expand and contract the thoracic cage during inspiration and
expiration respectively
External Intercostal Muscles - Answers✔Located between each rib
Fibres run anteroinferiorly from the lower border of the rib
Internal Intercostals - Answers✔Located between each rib
Fibres run posterosuperiorly from the upper border of the rib
Innermost Intercostals - Answers✔Form an incomplete layer that can span across 2-3 ribs
Fibres run posterosuperiorly from the upper border of the rib
The Sternum - Answers✔Consists of the manubrium, body, xiphoid process
The sternum provides important landmarks (CPR and inserting chest tubes)
Manubriosternal joint - Answers✔symphysis between manubrium and body of sternum
Angle of Louis - Answers✔Also know as the manubriosternal angle, the articulation of the manubrium
and body of the sternum. his joint is in line with the 4th and 5th thoracic vertebrae. The angle of Louis is
easily palpable forming a clinical landmark
Xiphoid Process - Answers✔The xiphoid process attaches to the sternal body at the xipisternal joint. This
joint is in line with the 9th thoracic vertebrae (T9)
The vertebral arch and body - Answers✔Forms the vertebral foramen to protect and house the spinal
cord
Pedicle - Answers✔Forms the intervertebral foramen where a spinal nerve exits the vertebral canal
Spinous Process, transverse process, and the body - Answers✔Attachment sites for muscle and
ligaments of the spine
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Intervertebral Discs - Answers✔cartilaginous joints between vertebral bodies
consist of two parts: an outer annulus fibrous and a central nucleus pulposus
annulus fibrosus - Answers✔the outer ring of the disc, composed of fibrocartilage (bundles of collagen
fibres)
Functions to resist shear forces
nucleus pulposus - Answers✔gelatinous structure that functions to resist compressive force
Anatomical Relationships of the Ribs - Answers✔- the ribs function to protect the thoracic cavity (where
many vital organs and vessels are located)
- they are located deep to the skin and superficial to the thoracic cavity containing the heart, lungs, and
esophagus
- costal cartilage connects the ribs to the sternum
Rib Fracture - Answers✔Results in injury to internal organs such as the lungs causing localized chest and
back pain
Bruised Ribs - Answers✔Bruising of the skin over a rib, results in localized pain and swelling of that area
Inflammation of the Ribs - Answers✔Inflammation of the costal cartilage results in chest wall pain that
can affect a region spanning more than one rib
Thoracic Apetures - Answers✔Thoracic inlet (superior thoracic aperture)
Thoracic inlet (inferior thoracic aperture)
Thoracic Inlet (superior Thoracic Aperture) - Answers✔Allows passage between the thorax and neck
Superior aperture formed by: manubrium, rib 1, body of T1
Thoracic Inlet (Inferior Thoracic Aperture) - Answers✔Allows passage. Between the thorax and abdomen
Inferior aperture formed by: Xiphoid process, costal margin, rib 11 &12, and body of T12
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - Answers✔the compression of the nerves and blood vessels of the neck and
shoulder due to repetitive strain
Internal Thoracic Arteries - Answers✔Two paired arteries that are located lateral to the sternum: the
internal thoracic arteries, are the main blood supply of the anterior thoracic wall
Anterior intercostal arteries - Answers✔The anterior intercostal arteries arise from the internal thoracic
arteries. Anterior intercostal arteries pass around the thoracic wall in the costal grooves of ribs to form
an anastomosis with posterior intercostal arteries
Posterior Intercostal Arteries - Answers✔The posterior intercostal arteries are branches of the thoracic
aorta. They travel anteriorly to anastomose with the anterior intercostal arteries
Subcostal Arteries - Answers✔The 12th pair of arteries in the intercostal space are known as subcostal
arteries because they run inferior to the costal margin compared to the intercostal arteries
Intercostal and Subcostal Veins - Answers✔Venous drainage of the thoracic wall generally parallels the
arterial supply with: anterior intercostal veins, posterior intercostal veins, and subcostal veins which all
drain deoxygenated blood into the heart
Inferior Vena Cava - Answers✔Principle vessel that drains the lower body. It travels through the caval
opening in the diaphragm at the T8 level to return blood to the heart
Hemothorax - Answers✔Blood in the pleural cavity
Thoracic Spinal Nerves - Answers✔Thoracic spinal nerves pass through the intervertebral foramina,
carrying sensory information and motor information
Ventral Rami - Answers✔"Intercostal nerves" which run in the costal grooves
Dorsal Rami - Answers✔Supply the deep muscles of the back segmentally and the overlying skin
Intercostal nerves give off the following cutaneous (sensory) branches to innervate the skin of the
thoraco-abdominal wall - Answers✔lateral cutaneous branch, terminal anterior cutaneous branch,
muscular branches to the intercostal and anterolateral abdominal muscles for motor innervation
Intercostal nerves 1-6 - Answers✔The first 6 intercostal nerves are distributed in their intercostal spaces,
innervating the intercostal muscles of the thoracic wall and overlying skin
Intercostal Nerves 7-12 - Answers✔Intercostal nerves 7-11 (and subcostal nerves T12) continue
anteriorly from the intercostal spaces to enter the anterior abdominal wall supplying the abdominal
muscles and overlying skin
Phrenic Nerve - Answers✔Formed by the union of the three cervical spinal nerves (C3, C4, and C5)
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ANAT 380 Final Exam Questions And
Answers
Muscles of the thoracic wall - Answers✔External intercostal muscles
Diaphragm
Internal intercostal muscles
Diaphragm - Answers✔Thin musculotendinous septum that separates the thoracic and abdominal
cavities
The diaphragm is the principle muscle of respiration (when it contracts, its domes flatten to increase the
volume of the thoracic cavity during inspiration
Right dome of diaphragm - Answers✔Can rise to the level of the upper border of the fifth rib
Left dome of diaphragm - Answers✔Can rise to the level of the lower border of the fifth rib
Central Tendon - Answers✔The peripheral muscular fibres of the diaphragm attach to the inferior
margin of the thoracic cage and the lumbar vertebrae, to then converge on the central tendon, which is
inferior to the fibrous pericardium of the heart
Right Crus - Answers✔A muscular extension of the diaphragm that originates from the anterolateral
surface of the three upper lumbar vertebrae
Left Crus - Answers✔A muscular extension of the diaphragm that originates from the anterolateral
surface of the upper two lumbar vertebrae
Apertures of the diaphragm - Answers✔Caval opening (T8)
Esophageal hiatus (T10)
Aortic hiatus (T12)
Caval opening - Answers✔In the central tendon, at the level of the 8th thoracic vertebra (T8), is an
opening for the inferior vena cava (IVC). The IVC is situated in the posterior thorax on the right side
Eosphageal Hiatus - Answers✔In the right crus at the level of T10, is an opening for the esophagus. As
the esophagus depends through the thorax it deviates to the left lying anterior to the thoracic aorta
, ©SIRJOEL EXAM SOLUTIONS 2024/2025
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Aortic Hiatus - Answers✔Between the right and left crus, anterior to T12, is an opening for the
abdominal portion of the aorta. It is located on the left side of the posterior thorax
Intercostal Muscles - Answers✔The intercostal muscles (external, internal, and innermost) are a series
of muscle layers running between adjacent ribs, helping to form the chest wall
The intercostal muscles function to expand and contract the thoracic cage during inspiration and
expiration respectively
External Intercostal Muscles - Answers✔Located between each rib
Fibres run anteroinferiorly from the lower border of the rib
Internal Intercostals - Answers✔Located between each rib
Fibres run posterosuperiorly from the upper border of the rib
Innermost Intercostals - Answers✔Form an incomplete layer that can span across 2-3 ribs
Fibres run posterosuperiorly from the upper border of the rib
The Sternum - Answers✔Consists of the manubrium, body, xiphoid process
The sternum provides important landmarks (CPR and inserting chest tubes)
Manubriosternal joint - Answers✔symphysis between manubrium and body of sternum
Angle of Louis - Answers✔Also know as the manubriosternal angle, the articulation of the manubrium
and body of the sternum. his joint is in line with the 4th and 5th thoracic vertebrae. The angle of Louis is
easily palpable forming a clinical landmark
Xiphoid Process - Answers✔The xiphoid process attaches to the sternal body at the xipisternal joint. This
joint is in line with the 9th thoracic vertebrae (T9)
The vertebral arch and body - Answers✔Forms the vertebral foramen to protect and house the spinal
cord
Pedicle - Answers✔Forms the intervertebral foramen where a spinal nerve exits the vertebral canal
Spinous Process, transverse process, and the body - Answers✔Attachment sites for muscle and
ligaments of the spine
, ©SIRJOEL EXAM SOLUTIONS 2024/2025
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Intervertebral Discs - Answers✔cartilaginous joints between vertebral bodies
consist of two parts: an outer annulus fibrous and a central nucleus pulposus
annulus fibrosus - Answers✔the outer ring of the disc, composed of fibrocartilage (bundles of collagen
fibres)
Functions to resist shear forces
nucleus pulposus - Answers✔gelatinous structure that functions to resist compressive force
Anatomical Relationships of the Ribs - Answers✔- the ribs function to protect the thoracic cavity (where
many vital organs and vessels are located)
- they are located deep to the skin and superficial to the thoracic cavity containing the heart, lungs, and
esophagus
- costal cartilage connects the ribs to the sternum
Rib Fracture - Answers✔Results in injury to internal organs such as the lungs causing localized chest and
back pain
Bruised Ribs - Answers✔Bruising of the skin over a rib, results in localized pain and swelling of that area
Inflammation of the Ribs - Answers✔Inflammation of the costal cartilage results in chest wall pain that
can affect a region spanning more than one rib
Thoracic Apetures - Answers✔Thoracic inlet (superior thoracic aperture)
Thoracic inlet (inferior thoracic aperture)
Thoracic Inlet (superior Thoracic Aperture) - Answers✔Allows passage between the thorax and neck
Superior aperture formed by: manubrium, rib 1, body of T1
Thoracic Inlet (Inferior Thoracic Aperture) - Answers✔Allows passage. Between the thorax and abdomen
Inferior aperture formed by: Xiphoid process, costal margin, rib 11 &12, and body of T12
, ©SIRJOEL EXAM SOLUTIONS 2024/2025
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - Answers✔the compression of the nerves and blood vessels of the neck and
shoulder due to repetitive strain
Internal Thoracic Arteries - Answers✔Two paired arteries that are located lateral to the sternum: the
internal thoracic arteries, are the main blood supply of the anterior thoracic wall
Anterior intercostal arteries - Answers✔The anterior intercostal arteries arise from the internal thoracic
arteries. Anterior intercostal arteries pass around the thoracic wall in the costal grooves of ribs to form
an anastomosis with posterior intercostal arteries
Posterior Intercostal Arteries - Answers✔The posterior intercostal arteries are branches of the thoracic
aorta. They travel anteriorly to anastomose with the anterior intercostal arteries
Subcostal Arteries - Answers✔The 12th pair of arteries in the intercostal space are known as subcostal
arteries because they run inferior to the costal margin compared to the intercostal arteries
Intercostal and Subcostal Veins - Answers✔Venous drainage of the thoracic wall generally parallels the
arterial supply with: anterior intercostal veins, posterior intercostal veins, and subcostal veins which all
drain deoxygenated blood into the heart
Inferior Vena Cava - Answers✔Principle vessel that drains the lower body. It travels through the caval
opening in the diaphragm at the T8 level to return blood to the heart
Hemothorax - Answers✔Blood in the pleural cavity
Thoracic Spinal Nerves - Answers✔Thoracic spinal nerves pass through the intervertebral foramina,
carrying sensory information and motor information
Ventral Rami - Answers✔"Intercostal nerves" which run in the costal grooves
Dorsal Rami - Answers✔Supply the deep muscles of the back segmentally and the overlying skin
Intercostal nerves give off the following cutaneous (sensory) branches to innervate the skin of the
thoraco-abdominal wall - Answers✔lateral cutaneous branch, terminal anterior cutaneous branch,
muscular branches to the intercostal and anterolateral abdominal muscles for motor innervation
Intercostal nerves 1-6 - Answers✔The first 6 intercostal nerves are distributed in their intercostal spaces,
innervating the intercostal muscles of the thoracic wall and overlying skin
Intercostal Nerves 7-12 - Answers✔Intercostal nerves 7-11 (and subcostal nerves T12) continue
anteriorly from the intercostal spaces to enter the anterior abdominal wall supplying the abdominal
muscles and overlying skin
Phrenic Nerve - Answers✔Formed by the union of the three cervical spinal nerves (C3, C4, and C5)
