Thoracic aperture
Thoracic aperture
The thoracic aperture refers to the openings at the top and bottom of the thoracic cavity, which allow for the passage of structures between the thorax and other regions of the body. There are two thoracic apertures: the superior thoracic aperture and the inferior thoracic aperture.
Superior Thoracic Aperture[edit | edit source]
The superior thoracic aperture, also known as the thoracic inlet, is the opening at the top of the thoracic cavity. It is bounded by:
- The first thoracic vertebra (T1 vertebra)
- The first pair of ribs and their costal cartilages
- The superior border of the manubrium of the sternum
This aperture allows for the passage of several important structures, including the trachea, esophagus, major blood vessels such as the brachiocephalic artery, left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery, as well as nerves like the vagus nerve and the phrenic nerve.
Inferior Thoracic Aperture[edit | edit source]
The inferior thoracic aperture, also known as the thoracic outlet, is the opening at the bottom of the thoracic cavity. It is bounded by:
- The twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12 vertebra)
- The twelfth pair of ribs and the costal margins formed by the cartilages of ribs 7-10
- The xiphisternal joint, where the xiphoid process meets the body of the sternum
The inferior thoracic aperture is closed off by the diaphragm, a major muscle involved in respiration. Structures passing through this aperture include the aorta, the inferior vena cava, and the esophagus.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
The thoracic apertures are clinically significant as they are potential sites for various medical conditions. For instance, the superior thoracic aperture can be involved in thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition where nerves or blood vessels are compressed, leading to pain and other symptoms. The inferior thoracic aperture is important in procedures involving the diaphragm and in understanding the spread of diseases such as diaphragmatic hernia.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
 | This anatomy article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
