Thorax

THORAX

skin
superficial fascia
deep fascia and superficial muscles of the thoracic wall
rib and intercostal muscles
endothoracic fascia
parietal pleura

PLEURA & PLEURAL CAVITY

Body Cavities and Membranes
Ventral Cavity – Two main divisions:
• Thoracic Cavity – It is superior and is
surrounded by the ribs and the muscles of
the chest wall. (Superior to the diaphragm)
• Abdominopelvic Cavity – It is inferior
and is surrounded by the abdominal walls
and the pelvic girdle.


Serous Cavities
Serous cavities include:
• Pleura –
Surrounding the lungs.
• Pericardium –
Surrounding the heart.
• Peritoneum –
Surrounding various organs
of the abdominopelvic cavity.

Serous Cavities

Serous cavities are lined by serous
membranes or serosa. There are 2 parts:
• Parietal Serosa– The outer wall.
• Visceral Serosa – The inner wall that covers the organ.
The two are continuous with each other. Think of the balloon example.

Serous Cavities

Serous cavities are filled with a thin
layer of serous fluid (watery).
• Serous fluid is secreted by both serous membranes.
• Allows visceral organs to move with little friction across the cavity walls.


Outer balloon wall
(comparable to parietal serosa)
Air
(comparable to serous cavity)
Inner balloon wall
(comparable to visceral serosa)

Pleura

Pleural Cavity
Pleural Recesses
Blood Vessels

• Pleura

• Parietal pleura
• Visceral pleura

• costal

• diaphragmatic
• cupular
• mediastinal

Pleura

• Tension Pneumothorax

• Hemothorax

• Chylothorax

Pleural Recess

Costodiaphragmatic recess
Costomediastinal recess

• Costomediastinal recess

• Costodiaphragmatic recess

• Midclavicular line

• Midaxillary line
• Scapular line
• Paravertebral line
• Inferior border of the lung
• Rib 6
• Rib 8
• Rib 10
• T10
• Inferior border of the pleura
• Rib 8
• Rib 10
• Rib 11
• T12