- Thoracic cavity
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Thoracic cavity Latin cavitas thoracis Gray's subject #136 524 Dorlands/Elsevier Thoracic cavity 
Thoracic cavity seen from left. Lungs, among others removed.
The thoracic cavity (or chest cavity) is the chamber of the human body (and other animal bodies) that is protected by the thoracic wall (thoracic cage and associated skin, muscle, and fascia).
The thoracic area includes the tendons as well as the cardiovascular system which could be damaged from injury to the back, spine or the neck.
Contents
Components
Structures within the thoracic cavity include:
- structures of the cardiovascular system, including the heart and great vessels, which include the thoracic aorta, the pulmonary artery and all its branches, the superior and inferior vena cava, the pulmonary veins, and the azygos vein
- structures of the respiratory system, including the trachea, bronchi and lungs
- structures of the digestive system, including the esophagus,
- endocrine glands, including the thymus gland,
- structures of the nervous system including the paired vagus nerves, and the paired sympathetic chains,
- lymphatics including the thoracic duct.
It contains three potential spaces lined with mesothelium: the paired pleural cavities and the pericardial cavity. The mediastinum comprises those organs which lie in the centre of the chest between the lungs.
Clinical significance
If the pleural cavity is breached from the outside, as by a bullet wound or knife wound, a pneumothorax, or air in the cavity, may result. If the volume of air is significant, one or both lungs may collapse, which requires immediate medical attention.
In animals
The viscera or organs (offal) of the thoracic cavity of butchered livestock are known collectively as the pluck while still connected together.
External links
- thoracic+cavity at eMedicine Dictionary
- chest+wall at eMedicine Dictionary (also known as "thoracic wall")
- thoraxlesson3 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
Human systems and organs TA 2–4:
MSBone (Carpus · Collar bone (clavicle) · Thigh bone (femur) · Fibula · Humerus · Mandible · Metacarpus · Metatarsus · Ossicles · Patella · Phalanges · Radius · Skull (cranium) · Tarsus · Tibia · Ulna · Rib · Vertebra · Pelvis · Sternum) · CartilageTA 5–11:
splanchnic/
viscusmostly
Thoracicmostly
AbdominopelvicDigestive system+
adnexaMouth (Salivary gland, Tongue) · upper GI (Oropharynx, Laryngopharynx, Esophagus, Stomach) · lower GI (Small intestine, Appendix, Colon, Rectum, Anus) · accessory (Liver, Biliary tract, Pancreas)TA 12–16 Blood
(Non-TA)General anatomy: systems and organs, regional anatomy, planes and lines, superficial axial anatomy, superficial anatomy of limbs Back splenius (capitis, cervicis) · erector spinae (iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis) · latissimus dorsi
transversospinales: (semispinalis dorsi, semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis capitis, multifidus, rotatores) · interspinales · intertransversarii
Vertebral column: trapezius · latissimus dorsi · rhomboid (major, minor) · levator scapulae
fascia: Thoracolumbar fasciaThorax intercostales (external, internal, innermost) · subcostales · transversus thoracis · levatores costarum · serratus posterior (inferior, superior) · diaphragm
Thoracic cavity: pectoralis major · pectoralis minor · subclavius · serratus anterior
fascia: Pectoral fascia · Clavipectoral fasciaAnatomy, Respiratory system: Thoracic cavity (TA A07, TH H3.05.03, GA 11.1087) Pleurae Mediastinum General Categories:
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