For the dissection of the thoracic wall, you should find:
Muscles
pectoralis major and minor (reflect)
external interostal
internal interostal
innermost interostal (more difficult to distinguish)
subcostal (best seen after the rib cage has been removed)
Nerves
intercostals
phrenic
vagus
recurrent laryngeal (on right and left)
Arteries
internal thoracic artery
anterior intercostal artery
arch of aorta
brachiocephalic artery
left common carotid artery
left subclavian artery
pulmonary trunk artery
left and right pulmonary arteries
pericardiacophrenic artery
superior epigastric artery
musculophrenic artery
Veins
superior vena cava
right brachiocephalic
left brachiocephalic
left subclavian
azygous
Other
parietal pleura - leave it intact around the lungs as best as possible.
visceral pleura
costal pleura
diaphragmatic pleura
mediastinal pleura
pulmonary ligament
costodiaphragmatic recess
ligamentum arteriosum
In addition: find the following bony parts:
manubrium
body of sternum
xiphisternum
ribs and costal arch
John A. McNulty, Ph.D.
Last Updated: May 11, 2011
Created: Jan 24, 1997