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.

Components

Structures within the thoracic cavity include:

Fetal thoracic cavity

• 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.

Additional images

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  Illustration of Heart in Thoracic Cavity

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  Illustration of Heart Position Relative to the Rib Cage

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)