Thorax and Lungs

  1. Superior Thoracic Aperture

    Use the highlight tool to highlight the bones that form the thracic inlet. Identify some of the major structures that pass through the throacic inlet. Use three fingers in the cross-section pane to scroll through the thoracic aperature. Notice how superiorly the lungs extend. Use the dissect tool to remove the major vasculature on one side. Scroll through the cross-section one more time while you try to discern which vessels are which in the cross-section.

  2. Inferior Thoracic Aperture

    Use the highlight tool to highlight the bones that form the inferior thoracic aperture. Use three fingers in the cross-section pane to scroll through the region. Can you locate the liver and spleen in the cross-section? Use the dissect tool to remove the abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava, and the stomach. What are these various passageways called through the diaphragm?

  3. Lungs in the Thorax

    Rotate the 3D model to orient yourself. Can you decide which is the left and which is the right? How can you tell? Use the highlight tool to explore the other structures present. Use the dissect tool to remove the structures and view the impressions left on the lungs. Dissect away the right lung to observe the aortic impression. Note: you can always use the Undo button found under the Anatomy pop-up in the toolbar.

  4. Mediastinum

    Rotate the 3D model to orient yourself. Identify the heart sitting between the lungs. Notice the space posterior to the heart (the posterior mediastinum). Look at the cross-section and use the highlight tool to identify what structures reside in the posterior mediastinum. Where would you be able to find the anterior mediastinum? What structures reside there? Under the Anatomy pop-up -> Systems -> Cardiovascular System -> Heart, tap the eyeball next to Heart to remove the heart entirely. Remove any other structures still left in the mediastinum. Rotate the 3D model around to appreciate the space of the now empty mediastinum.

  5. Intercostal Space

    Rotate the 3D model to orient yourself. Use the highlight tool to discover which intercostal muscles are visible in the 3D model. Use two fingers in the cross-section pane to zoom in on the intercostal space. Use the highlight tool to differentiate between the internal and external intercostals. Where does the intercostal vasculature traverse relative to the intercostal muscles? Clinical correlate: to release fluid or air build up in the pleural cavity, a chest tube can be inserted between the ribs. Based on the location of the intercostal neurovasculature, where would it be safest to puncture through the thoracic wall?