The following diagram shows the anterior chest again, with the lobes of the lungs included. Various reference lines and angles are commonly used to identify respiratory findings. For example:
1_The angle of Louis (also called the sternal angle) is a useful place to start counting ribs, which helps localize a respiratory finding horizontally.
If you find the sternal notch, walk your fingers down the manubrium a few centimeters until you feel a distinct bony ridge.
This is the sternal angle. The 2nd rib is continuous with the sternal angle; slide your finger down to localize the 2nd intercostal space. The angle of Louis also marks the site of bifurcation of the trachea into the right and left main bronchi and corresponds with the upper border of the atria of the heart.
2_Reference lines help pinpoint findings vertically. For example, the major division ("fissure") between lobes in the anterior chest crosses the 5th rib in midaxillary line and terminates at the 6th rib in the midclavicular line.
@studentnote1
1_The angle of Louis (also called the sternal angle) is a useful place to start counting ribs, which helps localize a respiratory finding horizontally.
If you find the sternal notch, walk your fingers down the manubrium a few centimeters until you feel a distinct bony ridge.
This is the sternal angle. The 2nd rib is continuous with the sternal angle; slide your finger down to localize the 2nd intercostal space. The angle of Louis also marks the site of bifurcation of the trachea into the right and left main bronchi and corresponds with the upper border of the atria of the heart.
2_Reference lines help pinpoint findings vertically. For example, the major division ("fissure") between lobes in the anterior chest crosses the 5th rib in midaxillary line and terminates at the 6th rib in the midclavicular line.
@studentnote1