NUR 226- Thorax and Lungs Review
Questions and Correct Answers
Anterior Thoracic Landmarks ✅1) Suprasternal notch
2) Sternum
3) Sternal angle
4) Costal Angle
Suprasternal Notch ✅U-shaped depression just above the sternum, between clavicles
Sternum ✅Breastbone: manubrium, body, xiphoid process
Sternal Angle ✅1) Angle of Louis
2) Continuous with second rib
3) Tracheal bifurcation to the right and left main bronchi
4) Corresponds with upper border of the heart
5) Lies above fourth thoracic vertebrae on back
Costal Angle ✅Right and left costal margins form an angle and meet at xiphoid
process (90 degrees or less is normal)
Posterior Thoracic Landmarks ✅1) Vertebra prominens
2) Spinous processes
3) Inferior border of the scapula
4) Twelfth rib
Vertebra Prominens ✅1) Flex head and feel for most prominent bony spur at base of
neck (C7)
2) If two bony spurs are there, upper is C7 and lower is T1
Spinous Processes ✅1) Align with ribs down to T4
2) Then, angle downward
Inferior Border of the Scapula ✅1) Symmetric in each hemithorax
2) Lower tip at seventh or eighth rib
Twelfth Rib ✅Midway between spine and person's side to ID its free tip
Anterior Reference Lines ✅
Posterior Reference Lines ✅
, Lateral Reference Lines ✅
Thoracic Cavity ✅1) Mediastinum
2) Lung borders
3) Lobes of the lungs
4) Pleurae
5) Trachea and bronchial tree
Mediastinum ✅Middle of thoracic cavity containing: esophagus, trachea, heart, and
great vessels
Pleural Cavities ✅Contain the lungs
Lung Borders ✅1) Apex (anterior)
2) Base
Apex ✅1) Highest point
2) Lung tissue is 3-4 cm above inner third of the clavicles
Base ✅1) Lower border, rests on diaphragm, 6th rib in midclavicular line
2) Lateral lung tissue extends from apex of axilla down to 7th or 8th rib
3) Posteriorly C7 marks apex of lung tissue and T10 the base
4) Deep inspiration expands lungs, lower border drops to T12
Lobes of Lungs ✅1) Anterior
2) Posterior
3) Lateral
Anterior Lobe ✅1) Oblique fissure crosses 5th rib and terminates at 6th (midclavicular)
2) Right lung contains horizontal (minor) fissure-right upper and middle lobes
3) Fissure extends from the 5th rib in the right midaxillary line to 3rd intercostal space or
4th rib at right sternal border
Posterior Lobe ✅1) Almost all lower lobe (down to T10-12)
2) Upper lobe at T1 to T4-5
3) No middle lobe
Lateral Lobe ✅1) Extends from apex to 7th or 8th rib
2) Right upper lobe extends from apex of axilla down to horizontal fissure at 5th rib
3) Right middle lobe from horizontal fissure to down and forward to 6th rib at mid
clavicle
4) Right lower lobe: 5th-8th rib down midaxillary line
5) Left lung: two lobes, seen laterally as triangles separated by oblique fissure
6) Left upper (apex of axilla to 5th rib at midaxillary line
7) Left lower (down to 8th rib in midaxillary line)
Questions and Correct Answers
Anterior Thoracic Landmarks ✅1) Suprasternal notch
2) Sternum
3) Sternal angle
4) Costal Angle
Suprasternal Notch ✅U-shaped depression just above the sternum, between clavicles
Sternum ✅Breastbone: manubrium, body, xiphoid process
Sternal Angle ✅1) Angle of Louis
2) Continuous with second rib
3) Tracheal bifurcation to the right and left main bronchi
4) Corresponds with upper border of the heart
5) Lies above fourth thoracic vertebrae on back
Costal Angle ✅Right and left costal margins form an angle and meet at xiphoid
process (90 degrees or less is normal)
Posterior Thoracic Landmarks ✅1) Vertebra prominens
2) Spinous processes
3) Inferior border of the scapula
4) Twelfth rib
Vertebra Prominens ✅1) Flex head and feel for most prominent bony spur at base of
neck (C7)
2) If two bony spurs are there, upper is C7 and lower is T1
Spinous Processes ✅1) Align with ribs down to T4
2) Then, angle downward
Inferior Border of the Scapula ✅1) Symmetric in each hemithorax
2) Lower tip at seventh or eighth rib
Twelfth Rib ✅Midway between spine and person's side to ID its free tip
Anterior Reference Lines ✅
Posterior Reference Lines ✅
, Lateral Reference Lines ✅
Thoracic Cavity ✅1) Mediastinum
2) Lung borders
3) Lobes of the lungs
4) Pleurae
5) Trachea and bronchial tree
Mediastinum ✅Middle of thoracic cavity containing: esophagus, trachea, heart, and
great vessels
Pleural Cavities ✅Contain the lungs
Lung Borders ✅1) Apex (anterior)
2) Base
Apex ✅1) Highest point
2) Lung tissue is 3-4 cm above inner third of the clavicles
Base ✅1) Lower border, rests on diaphragm, 6th rib in midclavicular line
2) Lateral lung tissue extends from apex of axilla down to 7th or 8th rib
3) Posteriorly C7 marks apex of lung tissue and T10 the base
4) Deep inspiration expands lungs, lower border drops to T12
Lobes of Lungs ✅1) Anterior
2) Posterior
3) Lateral
Anterior Lobe ✅1) Oblique fissure crosses 5th rib and terminates at 6th (midclavicular)
2) Right lung contains horizontal (minor) fissure-right upper and middle lobes
3) Fissure extends from the 5th rib in the right midaxillary line to 3rd intercostal space or
4th rib at right sternal border
Posterior Lobe ✅1) Almost all lower lobe (down to T10-12)
2) Upper lobe at T1 to T4-5
3) No middle lobe
Lateral Lobe ✅1) Extends from apex to 7th or 8th rib
2) Right upper lobe extends from apex of axilla down to horizontal fissure at 5th rib
3) Right middle lobe from horizontal fissure to down and forward to 6th rib at mid
clavicle
4) Right lower lobe: 5th-8th rib down midaxillary line
5) Left lung: two lobes, seen laterally as triangles separated by oblique fissure
6) Left upper (apex of axilla to 5th rib at midaxillary line
7) Left lower (down to 8th rib in midaxillary line)
