The thorax, which in everyday life is often referred to as the chest, forms a protective space for the heart, lungs and other organs of the person and is responsible for important functions of the organism. Thus, it is all the more important to detect diseases in the thoracic region at an early stage and to have them treated.
What is the thorax?
The thorax is the name for the rib cage, which is an important component of the human skeleton and is derived from the Greek name for the word “basket.” It is characterized by a bell-like shape and numerous muscles and ligaments that connect to the ribs of the thorax and provide high stability and elasticity. In addition, they allow the thorax to be raised and lowered during breathing. The shape and size of the thorax varies from person to person and is constantly changed by the respiratory muscles.
Anatomy and structure
In general, the thorax is composed of four main elements, which include the sternum, twelve pairs of ribs, twelve thoracic vertebrae, and their intervertebral discs. The ribs, which appear as flat, slightly curved bones, are linked to the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae at the posterior aspect of the thorax via costovertebral joints. At the front, in turn, cartilage connects the upper ten ribs to the sternum, which in turn has a connection to the clavicle and shoulder girdle. The lower two pairs of ribs, on the other hand, end freely and thus have no fixed connection to the sternum, which is why they are often referred to as “free ribs.” Furthermore, numerous vital organs are also located within the rib cage. Thus, in addition to the lungs, the midfield space (mediastinum) is also located inside the thorax, which contains the heart, thymus, trachea, esophagus, lymph nodes, and pulmonary and blood vessels such as the aorta or vena cava.
Functions and tasks
The thorax is considered to be of great importance in the human body, as it performs numerous life-supporting tasks of the organism. First of all, it serves as an attachment point for various skeletal parts, such as the shoulder muscles or the abdominal wall. In addition, due to its high stability, it has a protective function for vital and vulnerable organs of the organism. These include the lungs, spleen and liver, as well as the heart. The heart is protected from the front by the strong sternum, while the vertebral bodies of the thoracic spine shield it from the rear. The thorax also plays an important role in respiration, since it is a bony framework that provides the essential conditions for the human respiratory process: Thus, the thorax is moved up and down by the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm stretched out in the frame, and in doing so it provides for the deployment of the lungs.
Diseases
Because of its varied and important functions, diseases of the thoracic region are particularly dangerous. For example, myocardial infarction occurs in the thoracic region, in which part of the heart muscle is no longer supplied with sufficient blood. The cause is the occlusion of a coronary vessel, which supplies the heart with blood. Pneumonia, which is usually caused by an infection of the alveoli or lung tissue by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites, is also found in the thoracic region. If detected at an early stage, this usually does not cause any problems, but in some cases it can pose a life-threatening threat to the organism. Another disease in the area of the thorax is the so-called hematothorax, which refers to an accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity. This disease is often caused by injuries to vertebrae or rib fractures. Pneumothorax, which describes the accumulation of air next to the lungs, is also often associated with hematothorax. As a result of this accumulation, the lung can no longer expand and collapses. In this case, the air can either escape from the lung itself due to a burst alveolus, but can also get next to the lung from the outside due to injuries to the chest wall. Furthermore, cancer can also occur in the thoracic region, with lung cancer being the most common form.
Typical and common thoracic diseases
- Chest pain and pain when breathing
- Chest bruising
- Tremors
- Pneumothorax
- Pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura)
