Thoracic cavity

Thoracic Cavity

The Thoracic Cavity (pronounced: tho-RAS-ik KAV-i-tee) is a part of the human anatomy that is located within the thorax, between the neck and the abdomen.

Etymology

The term "Thoracic" is derived from the Greek word "thorax", meaning "chest". The term "Cavity" comes from the Latin word "cavitas", meaning "hollow".

Definition

The Thoracic Cavity is the chamber of the body of vertebrates that is protected by the thoracic wall (rib cage and associated skin, muscle, and fascia). The central compartment of the thoracic cavity is the mediastinum. There are two openings of the thoracic cavity, a superior thoracic aperture known as the thoracic inlet and a lower inferior thoracic aperture known as the thoracic outlet.

Components

The Thoracic Cavity includes the following components:

Lungs: Two organs that are responsible for respiration.
Heart: A vital organ that pumps blood throughout the body.
Esophagus: The tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
Trachea: The windpipe that connects the larynx to the bronchi.
Thymus: A lymphoid organ that produces T-cells for the immune system.

Related Terms

Pleural Cavity: The potential space between the two layers of pleura; it is filled with a small amount of lubricating serous fluid.
Pericardial Cavity: The potential space formed between the two layers of serous pericardium around the heart.
Mediastinum: The central compartment of the thoracic cavity surrounded by loose connective tissue, as an undelineated region that contains a group of structures within the thorax, including the heart, the great vessels of the heart, esophagus, trachea, phrenic and cardiac nerves, thoracic duct, thymus, and lymph nodes of the central chest.