The thoracic cage is a bony and cartilaginous structure which surrounds the thoracic cavity and supports the pectoral (shoulder) girdle. It consists of the 12 pairs of ribs, sternum, costal cartilages, and the 12 thoracic vertebrae. It, along with the skin and associated fascia and muscles, make up the thoracic (chest) wall.
Additional recommended knowledge
The thoracic cage provides attachments for the muscles of the neck, thorax, upper abdomen, and back.
Additional images
References
Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 4th ed. Moore, Keith L. and Arthur Dalley.
General anatomy of torso |
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Thorax/ Thoracic cavity | Mediastinum (Superior, Anterior, Middle, Posterior) • Superior thoracic aperture • Inferior thoracic aperture • Triangle of auscultation • Intercostal space • Thoracic plane • Thoracic wall/Thoracic cage - fascia (Pectoral fascia, Clavipectoral fascia, Thoracolumbar fascia) • Chest • Midsternal line |
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Thoracic diaphragm | openings (Caval opening, Esophageal hiatus, Aortic hiatus, Foramina of Morgagni) • Central tendon • Crus of diaphragm • arcuate ligaments (Lateral, Medial, Median) |
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Abdomen/ Abdominal cavity | Retroperitoneum • Paracolic gutters • Hepatobiliary triangle
anterior abdominal wall (Arcuate line, Linea alba, Tendinous intersection, Linea semilunaris, McBurney's point, Traube's space, Inguinal triangle) • Inguinal canal (Deep inguinal ring, Superficial inguinal ring, Intercrural fibers, Crura of superficial inguinal ring) • Lumbar triangle • regions (Epigastrium, Hypochondrium, Umbilical region, Latus, Hypogastrium, Inguinal region) • planes (Transpyloric plane, Intertubercular plane, Midclavicular line)
fascia (Fascia of Camper, Fascia of Scarpa, Transversalis fascia, Renal fascia, Rectus sheath) |
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Pelvis/ Pelvic cavity | Pelvic floor • Retropubic space fascia (Pelvic fascia, Superior fascia of diaphragm of pelvis, Inferior fascia of diaphragm of pelvis, Fascia of the Obturator internus, Tendinous arch, Iliac fascia) |
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Perineum | Anal triangle (Ischioanal fossa, Pudendal canal, Anococcygeal raphe)
Urogenital triangle (Superficial perineal pouch, Deep perineal pouch)
Perineal body
fascia (Dartos/fascia of perineum/superficial perineal fascia/Fascia of Colles, Perineal membrane/"Inferior fascia of UGD", "Superior fascia of UGD") |
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