Superior thoracic aperture

This article uses a few professional terms to explain certain anatomical details. These words apply only when the body is in the anatomical position, i.e., standing up with hands facing forward. Please visit the anatomical position page for more detailed information.

The superior thoracic aperture refers to the superior opening of the thoracic cavity. It is also referred to anatomically as the thoracic inlet and clinically as the thoracic outlet. It is important to note that the clinical entity called the Thoracic outlet syndrome does not refer to the inferior thoracic aperture.

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Boundaries

The thoracic inlet is essentially a hole surrounded by a bony ring, through which several vital structures pass.

The superior thoracic aperture is bounded by: the first thoracic vertebra (T1) posteriorly, the first pair of ribs laterally (more specifically, the first ribs form lateral C-shaped curves posterior to anterior), and the superior border of the manubrium anteriorly.

Relations

The clavicles articulate with the manubrium to form the anterior border of the thoracic inlet. Superior to the thoracic inlet is the root of the neck, and the superior mediastinum is related inferiorly.

The brachial plexuses are superolateral relations of the thoracic inlet. The brachial plexus emerges between the anterior and middle scalene muscle, superior to the first rib and pass obliquely and inferiorly, underneath the clavicle, into the shoulder and then the arm. Impingement of the plexus in the region of the scalenes, ribs and clavicles is responsible for thoracic outlet syndrome.

Contents

Structures that pass through the superior thoracic aperture include:

• trachea
• oesophagus
• nerves
  • phrenic nerve
  • vagus nerve
  • recurrent laryngeal nerves
  • sympathetic trunks
• vessels
  • arteries
    • common carotid arteries
    • brachiocephalic trunk
    • subclavian arteries
  • veins
    • internal jugular veins
    • brachiocephalic veins
    • subclavian veins
• lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels

This is not an exhaustive list. There are several other minor but important vessels and nerves passing through, and an abnormally large thyroid gland may extend inferiorly through the thoracic inlet into the superior mediastinum.

The oesophagus lies against the body of the T1 vertebra, separated from it by the prevertebral fascia, and the trachea lies in front of the oesophagus, in the midline, and may touch the manubrium. The apices of the lungs lie to either side of the oesophagus and trachea, and separated from them by the other vessels and nerves listed above.

References

McMinn, RMH (Ed) (1994) Last's Anatomy: Regional and applied (9th Ed). London: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 0-443-04662-X