|
The diaphragm is the primary muscle responsible for respiration. Connected to the abdominal wall, the lumbar vertebra, the lower ribs, the sternum, and the pericardium of the heart by tendinous tissue, the thin diaphragm creates a partition between the thoracic and abdominal cavity. The
diaphragm forms a domed structure, and when the diaphragm muscle contracts, it lowers to a more flattened arrangement. This flattening causes a vacuum in the thoracic cavity and pressure in the abdominal cavity. The vacuum is filled by the expanding lung tissue and inhaled air. The pressure on the lower viscera are helpful in childbirth and in pushing fecal matter through the lower intestinal tract for expulsion. When the diaphragm relaxes to its domed structure, the air is exhaled and the lungs contract. Though the intercostal and abdominal muscles are also used in respiration, during sleep, it is primarily due to contractions of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is supplied by the inferior and superior phrenic arteries and the musculophrenic artery. It is innervated phrenic nerve.
 Research Diaphragm
Empyema thoracis is the condition of pus formation in the pleural space. The pleural effusion which accompanies infective conditions of the lung may itself become infected and form pus. A lung abscess may burst into the pleural space. Haemothorax may become infected. The symptoms which the condition produces depend on the amount of pus present, and the degree of compression of, or disease in, the underlying lungs. There is some embarrassment of respiration, and 'swinging' fever, typically present whenever pus has accumulated in the body. Fever may sometimes be absent, especially if the patient is being treated with antibiotics. The patient with an empyema is severely toxic, looks ill, loses weight rapidly and becomes severely anaemic. If the pus is sufficiently thin to be removed through a needle, then the treatment is entirely by aspiration. Penicillin or other antibiotic solution may be injected into the pleural space after the withdrawal of the pus. Aspiration needs to be repeated daily until lung expansion is adequate. If the pus becomes too
thick for aspiration, the empyema is treated by one of two surgical methods: (a) A small intercostal incision is made and a large self- retaining catheter placed into the pleural space to allow the escape of pus. The catheter is connected to an under-water seal. This method of intercostal drainage is rarely used but it is sometimes suitable for children. (b) Rib resection and drainage by a wide-bore tube. Part of one rib is removed and the pleural space opened through its periosteum. This tube may be left open at its outer end or may be attached to an under-water seal. One type of tube is the 'Tudor- Edward' empyema tube which has an additional small rubber side tube through which the empyema cavity can be irrigated.
Research Empyema Thoracis
The external oblique (obliquus externus abdominis) is a large, thin sheet of muscle that runs along the side of the torso and partly on the front. The muscle is divided into two portions; and upper thoracic portion and a lower flank portion. The thoracic portion is located along the rib cage. The lower flank portion is located along the side of the abdomen between the rib cage and the pelvis. The muscle originates from the fifth to twelfth ribs and inserts in the lip of the iliac crest, inguinal ligament, and the rectus abdominis muscle. The individual ribs can be seen beneath this muscle when it is relaxed. Most of this muscle is concealed by a cushion of fat. The two portions meet at the waist. It is innervated by branches of the lower thoracic nerve and supplied branches of the lumbar artery and the intercostal arteries. This muscle assists the rectus abdominis muscle in flexing the spine when the trunk twists or turns. It also supports the abdominal organ tissue.
Research External Abdominal Oblique
The external oblique (obliquus externus abdominis) is a large, thin sheet of muscle that runs along the side of the torso and partly on the front. The muscle is divided into two portions; and upper thoracic portion and a lower flank portion. The thoracic portion is located along the rib cage. The lower flank portion is located along the side of the abdomen between the rib cage and the pelvis. The muscle originates from the fifth to twelfth ribs and inserts in the lip of the iliac crest, inguinal ligament, and the rectus abdominis muscle. The individual ribs can be seen beneath this muscle when it is relaxed. Most of this muscle is concealed by a cushion of fat. The two portions meet at the waist. It is innervated by branches of the lower thoracic nerve and supplied branches of the lumbar artery and the intercostal arteries. This muscle assists the rectus abdominis muscle in flexing the spine when the trunk twists or turns. It also supports the abdominal organ tissue.
Research External Oblique
Intercostal is a Latin term meaning 'between the ribs' and refers to muscles etc which are present between any two ribs.
Research Intercostal
The intercostal nerves branch off of the spinal cord from the second to the twelfth thoracic vertebrae. They extend around the abdomen and innervate the intercostal muscles and the skin and muscles of the front, side, and back of the abdomen.
Research Intercostal Nerves
The inertnal intercostals (intercostalis interni) originate from the lower border of the ribs and extend downward and backward to insert into the rib below. The intercostal muscles are innervated by the intercostal nerves and supplied by the intercostal arteries. They are your breathing muscles. As they contract, they pull the ribs up to expand the chest with every breath.
Research Internal Intercostals
The internal oblique (obliquus internus abdominis) is a small, thin, deep muscle of the abdomen. It runs diagonally opposite underneath the external oblique. It has a quadrilateral form originating from the hip bone (crest of the ilium), and extending to the cartilage of the lower ribs (the tenth, elenenth, and twelfth ribs). It is innervated by the lower thoracic nerves and supplied the intercostal and lumbar arteries. This muscle protects a weak point in the abdominal wall and works with the external oblique to help twist the torso.
Research Internal Oblique
The levator costarum are a group of twelve muscles on each side of the spine. They originate from the transverse processes of the seventh cervical vertebrae and upper eleven thoracic vertebrae. These muscles pass downward and outward to insert in the rib below them. These muscles are innervated by the intercostal nerves and are supplied by muscular branches of the aorta. The levator costarum raise the ribs to expand the thoracic cavity when breathing and help to bend and rotate the spinal column.
Research Levator Costarum
The lungs are organs used for respiration. Lungs are found as a pair in air-breathing vertebrates within the chest cavity and are responsible for aerating the blood - bringing fresh air to the blood and removing carbon dioxide from the blood. The lungs consist of air tubes which divide into very small tubes within the lung tissue. The heart pumps blood to the veins of the lungs, these veins divide into very small branches where the blood is brought into contact with the air in the air cells at the ends of the smallest divisions of the air tubes, the bronchi. Air is drawn into and expelled from the lungs through the trachea by means of the contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
Research Lungs
|
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
©1993 - 2009 The Probert Encyclopaedia
Southampton, United Kingdom
|
|
|
Abbreviations
