Thoracic outlet

Inferior thoracic aperture
The posterior aspect of the thorax. (Inferior thoracic aperture visible at bottom.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	apertura thoracis inferior
TA	A02.3.04.004
FMA	7567
*Anatomical terminology* [edit on Wikidata]

The thoracic outlet is the lower opening of the thoracic cavity whose edges are the lowest ribs. It is closed by the diaphragm, which separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. The thoracic outlet or inferior thoracic aperture is much larger than the thoracic inlet (superior thoracic aperture).

The thoracic outlet is bounded by:

the 12th thoracic vertebra posteriorly,
11th and 12th pairs of ribs laterally,
costal cartilages of ribs 7 through 10 anteriorly,
and the xiphisternal joint - (i.e.: the articulation between the xiphoid process and the inferior border of the sternal body) anteriorly.

Structures passing through the thoracic outlet between the thorax and abdomen include the inferior vena cava and esophagus, both of which pass through the diaphragm, and the abdominal aorta and thoracic duct which pass through the diaphragm, through the aortic hiatus.

General structure	Body Arch pedicle lamina notch Vertebral foramen Intervertebral foramina Processes transverse articular spinous Spinal canal

Cervical vertebrae	Uncinate process of vertebra Transverse foramen Anterior tubercle Carotid tubercle Posterior tubercle Atlas lateral mass anterior arch posterior arch Axis dens Vertebra prominens

Thoracic vertebrae	Costal facets superior inferior transverse Uncinate process of vertebra

Lumbar vertebrae	Processes accessory mammillary

Sacrum	Base sacral promontory Ala of sacrum Lateral surface sacral tuberosity Pelvic surface anterior sacral foramina Dorsal surface posterior sacral foramina Median sacral crest Medial sacral crest Lateral sacral crest Sacral canal sacral hiatus

Coccyx	Coccygeal cornu

Thorax

Rib cage	Ribs true ribs false ribs floating ribs Parts angle tubercle costal groove neck head

Sternum	Suprasternal notch Manubrium Sternal angle Body of sternum Xiphisternal joint Xiphoid process

Thoracic cage	Thoracic inlet Thoracic outlet Intercostal space Costal margin Infrasternal angle

References

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This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 8/14/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.

Thoracic outlet

See also

References