Intermediate Thoracic Aorta Quiz

Q1. On which side of the vertebral column does the upper thoracic aorta lie?

• Within the vertebral canal
• Right side
• Directly posterior
• Left side

Q2. How does the thoracic aorta change position as it descends?

• It moves toward the midline
• It moves farther left
• It moves anterior to the sternum
• It crosses into the right pleural cavity

Q3. Which structure is an important anterior relation of the descending thoracic aorta?

• Esophagus
• Posterior longitudinal ligament
• Thoracic vertebral bodies
• Spinal cord

Q4. Which structures form an important posterior relation of the thoracic aorta?

• Thymus
• Sternum
• Thoracic vertebral bodies
• Right ventricle

Q5. How many pairs of posterior intercostal arteries usually arise directly from the thoracic aorta?

• Nine pairs
• Seven pairs
• Two pairs
• Eleven pairs

Q6. Which artery supplies the first two posterior intercostal spaces?

• Supreme intercostal artery
• Bronchial artery
• Thoracic aorta directly
• Superior phrenic artery

Q7. Which branches of the thoracic aorta supply the superior surface of the diaphragm?

• Inferior phrenic arteries
• Superior phrenic arteries
• Pulmonary arteries
• Musculophrenic arteries

Q8. Which category includes bronchial and esophageal branches of the thoracic aorta?

• Coronary branches
• Cerebral branches
• Parietal branches
• Visceral branches

Q9. Which category includes posterior intercostal and superior phrenic arteries?

• Visceral branches
• Coronary branches
• Pulmonary branches
• Parietal branches

Q10. Which structure accompanies the aorta through the aortic hiatus?

• Pulmonary trunk
• Thoracic duct
• Inferior vena cava
• Phrenic nerve