Anatomy and Physiology of

the Thorax and Lungs

Monsale, Wenjolyn Mae D.
Thorax –  The area of the body between the Lower respiratory system – it
neck and the abdomen. constitutes the lungs, the distal portion of the

It provides a base for the muscle attachment of trachea, and the bronchi that are located in the

the upper extremities. The thorax also provides thorax.

protection for the heart, lungs, and viscera.

Thoracic cage - outer structure of the
thorax

Thoracic cavity – contains the respiratory

components.
 Thoracic Cage Sternum and Clavicles
The sternum, or breastbone, lies in the center of the
Is constructed of the sternum, 12 pairs of chest anteriorly and is divided into three parts: the
manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process.
ribs, 12 thoracic vertebrae, muscles, and
cartilage. It provides support and
protection for many important organs
including those of the lower respiratory manubrium

system. The body

Xiphoid process
Suprasternal notch – U-shaped indentation
located on the superior border of the
manubrium. An important landmark.
Sternal angle/Angle of Louis – bony ridge that
can be palpated at the point where manubrium
articulates with the body of the sternum.
Ribs and Thoracic Vertebrae
The 12 pairs of ribs constitute the main structure of
the thoracic cage. Each pair of ribs has a
corresponding pair of intercostal spaces located
immediately inferior to it.
Costal angle – an important landmark for assessment.
An angle between the right and left costal margins.
It is normally less than 90 degrees but may be
increased in instances of emphysema.
Costal angle
Costal margin
Vertical Reference Lines
To describe a location around the
circumference of the chest wall,
the examiner uses imaginary lines
running vertically on the chest
wall.
On the anterior chest:
midsternal line and the right
and left mid-clavicular lines.

Posterior thorax: vertebral or

spinal line and the right and left
scapular lines.

Lateral aspect of the thorax: mid-

axillary line, anterior axillary
line, and posterior axillary line.
 Trachea and Bronchi
Thoracic Cavity Trachea – flexible structure that
It consists of the mediastinum and the lungs, lies anterior to the esophagus. 10-
and is lined by the pleural membranes. 12 cm long in an adult.
C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage
Mediastinum – central area in the thoracic compose the trachea; maintain its shape
cavity. Contains trachea, bronchi, esophagus, and prevent its collapse during
heart, and great vessels. Lungs lie on each side respiration.
of this area. Right main bronchus is Bronchi and trachea: “dead
shorter and more vertical space”—air is transported
than the left main bronchus. but no gas exchange takes
place. Passageway for
inspired and expired air.
Bronchioles: oxygen and
smaller carbon dioxide Lined with cilia—sweep dust,
passageways. during foreign bodies, and bacteria
Alveoli: tiny air
respiration. toward the mouth.
sac at the end of Alveolar sacs:
the bronchioles; cluster of alveoli
where the blood (resembling
and lungs grapes)
exchange
Lungs
Two cone-shaped, elastic structures suspended
within the thoracic cavity.

Apex of the lungs extends slightly above the

clavicle. Base is at the level of the diaphragm.

The lungs are not symmetric. The right lung is

larger and weighs more than the left lung. It has
three borders- anterior, posterior and inferior
and two surfaces- medial and costal.
Each lung is divided into lobes by fissures.
•Both lungs have oblique fissure and the right is further divided
by a transverse fissure. The oblique fissure in the left lung
separates the superior and the inferior lobe. The oblique and
horizontal fissure divides the lungs into superior, middle and
inferior lobes. Thus the right lung has three lobes while the left
has two.
Pleural Membranes
Pleura – a thin, double-layered serous
membrane that lines the thoracic cavity.
Parietal pleura – lines the chest cavity
Visceral pleura – invest the lungs and covers the
external surfaces of the lungs.
Pleural space – lies between the two pleural
layers.
The function of the pleura is to allow optimal
expansion and contraction of the lungs during
breathing. The pleural fluid acts as a lubricant,
allowing the parietal and visceral pleura to
glide over each other friction free.
Mechanics of Breathing
When you breath in, the external intercostal
muscles contract, moving the ribcage up and out and
the diaphragm moves down at the same time, creating
negative pressure within the thorax.
The lungs are held to the thoracic wall by the pleural
membranes, and so expand outwards as well.
Expiration is mainly due to the natural elasticity of the
lungs, which tend to collapse if they are not held against
the thoracic wall.