Thoracic cavity

Thoracic cavity
Thoracic cavity
Details
Identifiers
Latin	cavitas thoracis, cavum thoracis
MeSH	D035423
TA98	A01.1.00.049; A02.3.04.002; A07.0.00.000
TA2	1097, 126
FMA	7565
	Anatomical terminology

The picture displays the mediastinum on sagittal plane, thoracic diaphragm at the bottom, the heart (cor), behind sternum and costae (to the left on the picture (this is the anterior/front) and to the right (posterior/back)), you have the thoracic vertebrae.

The thoracic cavity (or chest 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.

The thoracic cavity includes the tendons as well as the cardiovascular system which could be damaged from injury to the back, spine or the neck.