Science
Anatomy
III. SKELETAL SYSTEM
BONY THORAX
The Bony thorax is the skeleton of the chest, representing a fairly mobile set of
structures important to respiration and harboring the heart, lungs, and other
significant organs. The
superior thoracic aperture
(thoracic inlet; often
incorrectly termed thoracic
outlet in a clinical context)
transmits the esophagus,
trachea, nerves, and
important ducts and vessels.
The inferior thoracic
aperture is virtually sealed
by the thoracic diaphragm.
The space between ribs is
the intercostal space, and
contains three layers of
muscle and fasciae, and
intercostal vessels and
nerves. Collective rib
movement is responsible for
about 25% of the respiratory effort.
Anatomy
III. SKELETAL SYSTEM
BONY THORAX
The Bony thorax is the skeleton of the chest, representing a fairly mobile set of
structures important to respiration and harboring the heart, lungs, and other
significant organs. The
superior thoracic aperture
(thoracic inlet; often
incorrectly termed thoracic
outlet in a clinical context)
transmits the esophagus,
trachea, nerves, and
important ducts and vessels.
The inferior thoracic
aperture is virtually sealed
by the thoracic diaphragm.
The space between ribs is
the intercostal space, and
contains three layers of
muscle and fasciae, and
intercostal vessels and
nerves. Collective rib
movement is responsible for
about 25% of the respiratory effort.
