Gross Anatomy 1

• Thorax is a part of the body between the neck and abdomen.
• Thoracic cavity is made up of three compartments: Central compartment (mediastinum), Right pulmonary cavity, Left pulmonary cavity.
• C2 transverse process
• Superior oblique
• Inferior oblique
• Rectus capitis major
• Anterior osteology of thorax includes sternum, which is made up of manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.
• Sternal angle is the angle between the manubrium and the body, seen in sagittal plane.
• Sternum articulates with ribs/costal cartilage and protects the thoracic viscera, allowing for ventilation with movement of the ribs.
• Ribs are typically made up of head, neck, tubercule, angle, and proximal end-costal cartilage.
• Head of rib articulates with the spine and costal cartilage articulates with the sternum.
• Crest of rib articulates with the specific vertebral body, for example, L7.
• Ribs 1-7 are true ribs and articulate with the sternum through synovial joints (glide).
• Ribs 8-10 are false ribs and articulate with rib 7.
• Ribs 11-12 are floating ribs and do not articulate with any other rib.
• Trunk consists of vertebral column, sternum, and ribs.
• Vertebral column consists of 33 bones: cervical vertebrae 7, thoracic 12, lumbar 5, sacrum 5 fused, coccyx 4 fused.
• Functions of vertebral column include protection, base of attachment, structural support, flexibility and mobility, produces RBCs, and mineral storage (calcium).
• Primary curves in vertebral column are thoracic and sacral, occurring in the womb, and secondary curves are cervical and lumbar, occurring after birth once we are introduced to weight of our torso.
• Kyphotic curves in vertebral column are concave curves facing anteriorly, occurring in thoracic and sacral, and lordotic curves are concave curves facing posteriorly, occurring in cervical and lumbar.
• Vertebral anatomy consists of a body, vertebral (neural) arch, and seven processes.
• Osteology of typical vertebra includes body, vertebral (neural) arch, and seven processes.
• Body of vertebra has superior and inferior surfaces that articulate with other vertebrae and is thickened around spine, location of growth plates.
• Cartilaginous end-plates are present in vertebral (neural) arch.
• Vertebral (neural) arch is formed by pedicles and laminae.
• Seven processes of vertebra include transverse processes, spinous processes, facets- superior articular and inferior articular, and spinal foramen.
• Laminae form arch of vertebral column and pedicle attaches everything to the anterior.
• Suboccipital triangle is made up of four muscles and two nerves: rectus capitis posterior minor, rectus capitis posterior major, inferior oblique, and superior oblique, with suboccipital nerve coming from this triangle, and contains vertebral artery, a secondary blood supply to brain.
• Latissimus Dorsi attaches to spinous process T6-T12, inferior ribs 8-12, iliac crest, scapula, intertubercular groove of humerus, with actions including extending humerus, adducting humerus, and medial rotation of humerus, and innervation from thoracodorsal nerve.
• Serratus Posterior inferior is distal to latissimus dorsi, attaches proximally to T11 and L2 and distally to ribs 9-12, with action of depressing ribs to assist inhalation, and innervation from intercostal nerves T9-T12.
• Intermediate Intrinsics, also known as Erector Spinae, is a muscle group made up of Iliocostalis, Longissimus, and Spinalis, with actions including extension of spinal column, lateral flexion to same side, and innervations from dorsal rami of spinal nerves of region of spine.
• Quadratus Lumborum is located in the sub-occipital region, with action of lateral flexion of spine and depression of thoracic rib cage, and innervation from T12 and L1-L4 spinal nerves.
• Splenius Cervicis attaches proximally to spinous process T3-T6 and distally to transverse process C1-C4, with actions including extending neck, lateral flexion, and rotation to same side.
• Rotatores are small individual muscles that connect one vertebra to another, with action of extending and rotating spinal column, and innervation from dorsal rami of spinal nerves.
• Rhomboid Major is a deep muscle located below Rhomboid Minor, with actions including scapular retraction and downward rotation, and innervation from dorsal scapular nerve.
• Landmarks in the sub-occipital region include C1 spinous process, rectus capitis minor, C1 transverse process, and inferior oblique.
• Rhomboid Minor has the same actions and innervations as Rhomboid Major.
• Deep Intrinsics includes Semispinalis and Multifidus, with action of extending and rotating spinal column, and innervation from dorsal rami of spinal nerves.
• Serratus Posterior Superior attaches proximally to spinous process C7-T3 and distally to ribs 2-5, with action of elevating ribs to assist inhalation, and innervation from intercostal nerves T1-T4.
• Intervertebral foramen of vertebra gets larger as you move distally since they carry the most load and there are different facets denoting different ROM.