Clinical Anatomy of the Thorax

The following topics are covered in this course: 1) the thoracic wall and muscles of respiration; 2) the breast; 3) the pleura and lungs; 4) the pericardium and heart; 5) the mediastinum; 6) radiologic anatomy of the thorax. Each topic is followed by a discussion of high-yield USMLE-type questions with examples taken from EMBASS, UWorld, and other popular med-prep platforms. We will begin with the peculiarities of the organization and function of the thoracic wall.

You will learn the composition of the rib cage, the joints, and the muscles of respiration. We will discuss the boundaries and content of the intercostal space and will link that to clinical procedures such as intercostal nerve block and thoracocentesis. Then, will talk about the subdivisions of the thoracic cavity and vital organs of the thorax.

We will discuss the features of the lungs and their roots, the organization of the bronchial tree, the segmentation of lungs, and the distribution of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels among the lung segments. Will review the anatomical features of the heart chambers, the adult vs. fetal blood flows through the heart, and will discuss what normal and pathological remnants may come from it.

Especial attention will be given to the blood supply of the heart; we will talk about the origin and distribution of the right and left coronary arteries, will discuss the concept of arterial dominance, and will relate this data to heart disease. Additionally, we will look at the components of the conducting system of the heart, its distribution, and function, and will discuss the influence of the autonomic nervous plexuses. In the end, we will talk about the subdivisions of the mediastinum and correlate the content of the superior, anterior, medial, and posterior mediastinum with the related pathologies.