Anatomy
This was previously featured in an exam
This was previously featured in an exam
Thorax
Question 110 of 142
Which of the following occurs at the transverse thoracic plane:
Answer:
At the level of the transverse thoracic plane:- the ascending aorta ends and the aortic arch begins
- the aortic arch ends and the descending aorta begins
- the superior mediastinum becomes the inferior mediastinum
- the trachea bifurcates into the right and left main bronchi
- the pulmonary trunk bifurcates into the right and left pulmonary arteries
- the azygos vein ends by draining into the superior vena cava
- the thoracic duct crosses the oesophagus posteriorly (from right to left)
- the left recurrent laryngeal nerve loops around the aortic arch
Transverse Thoracic Plane
Anatomy / Thorax / Thoracic Wall
Last Updated: 25th May 2023
The transverse thoracic plane lies at the level of the sternal angle (at the level of the second intercostal cartilages) and the intervertebral disc between T4 and T5.
A number of important structures are transected by the transverse thoracic plane.
At the level of the transverse thoracic plane:
- the ascending aorta ends and the aortic arch begins
- the aortic arch ends and the descending aorta begins
- the superior mediastinum becomes the inferior mediastinum
- the trachea bifurcates into the right and left main bronchi
- the pulmonary trunk bifurcates into the right and left pulmonary arteries
- the azygos vein ends by draining into the superior vena cava
- the thoracic duct crosses the oesophagus posteriorly (from right to left)
- the left recurrent laryngeal nerve loops around the aortic arch
A way to help remember the structures transected by the transverse thoracic plane is CLAPTRAP:
- C: cardiac plexus
- L: ligamentum arteriosum
- A: aortic arch (inner concavity)
- P: pulmonary trunk bifurcation
- T: tracheal bifurcation (carina)
- R: right-to-left movement of the thoracic duct (posterior to the oesophagus)
- A: azygos vein drains into superior vena cava
- P: pre-vertebral fascia and pre-tracheal fascia end
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- Biochemistry
- Blood Gases
- Haematology
| Biochemistry | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| Sodium | 135 – 145 mmol/l |
| Potassium | 3.0 – 4.5 mmol/l |
| Urea | 2.5 – 7.5 mmol/l |
| Glucose | 3.5 – 5.0 mmol/l |
| Creatinine | 35 – 135 μmol/l |
| Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) | 5 – 35 U/l |
| Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) | < 65 U/l |
| Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) | 30 – 135 U/l |
| Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) | < 40 U/l |
| Total Protein | 60 – 80 g/l |
| Albumin | 35 – 50 g/l |
| Globulin | 2.4 – 3.5 g/dl |
| Amylase | < 70 U/l |
| Total Bilirubin | 3 – 17 μmol/l |
| Calcium | 2.1 – 2.5 mmol/l |
| Chloride | 95 – 105 mmol/l |
| Phosphate | 0.8 – 1.4 mmol/l |
| Haematology | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| Haemoglobin | 11.5 – 16.6 g/dl |
| White Blood Cells | 4.0 – 11.0 x 109/l |
| Platelets | 150 – 450 x 109/l |
| MCV | 80 – 96 fl |
| MCHC | 32 – 36 g/dl |
| Neutrophils | 2.0 – 7.5 x 109/l |
| Lymphocytes | 1.5 – 4.0 x 109/l |
| Monocytes | 0.3 – 1.0 x 109/l |
| Eosinophils | 0.1 – 0.5 x 109/l |
| Basophils | < 0.2 x 109/l |
| Reticulocytes | < 2% |
| Haematocrit | 0.35 – 0.49 |
| Red Cell Distribution Width | 11 – 15% |
| Blood Gases | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.35 – 7.45 |
| pO2 | 11 – 14 kPa |
| pCO2 | 4.5 – 6.0 kPa |
| Base Excess | -2 – +2 mmol/l |
| Bicarbonate | 24 – 30 mmol/l |
| Lactate | < 2 mmol/l |
