What is the thorax?
Thorax is the medical term for the chest, which comprises the chest cavity and the upper part of the abdominal cavity. The respiratory muscles are attached to the outer wall on the inside and outside. Inside, the thorax is divided into two parts, the pleural cavities. The diaphragm forms the lower boundary to the abdominal cavity.
What is the function of the thorax?
Another function of the bony thorax is to protect the organs: the heart and lungs as well as the large vessels.
Where is the thorax located?
The thorax is the upper part of the torso. It contains the organs of the chest cavity – the heart, lungs, trachea, oesophagus and large vessels. The diaphragm separates these from the organs of the abdominal cavity.
What problems can the thorax cause?
If the thoracic spine is more curved in old age than in younger years, this impedes breathing.
Malformations of the thorax such as a chicken breast (pectus carinatum) or funnel chest (pectus excavatum) can also lead to breathing problems and displacement of the heart.
