The thorax, an important part of the body of mammals and other quadrupeds, is located between the neck and abdomen and carries the heart, lungs and other important internal organs. The complexity of this structure and its significant impact on our physiological health make the thorax a focus of medical and anatomical research.
The chest cavity consists not only of the heart and lungs, but also of multiple internal structures, such as the diaphragm, esophagus, and trachea.
The thoracic cavity is composed of the thoracic cavity and the chest wall, and is mainly protected and supported by the ribs, spine and shoulder girdle. The human chest cavity contains the heart, lungs, thymus, various muscles and internal structures. Its major blood vessels such as the aorta, superior vena cava and pulmonary artery also pass through here.
The bones of the chest are called the thorax and are part of the axial skeleton. It consists of 12 ribs and the sternum. The ribs are numbered sequentially, 1 to 7 being true ribs, which have an anterior attachment to the sternum, and 8 to 10 being false ribs, because their cartilage is attached to the cartilage of the rib above. Ribs 11 and 12 are called floating ribs because they have no attachment point at the front.
Clinical significanceThe main function of the thorax is to protect the heart, lungs and major blood vessels and maintain the stability of the chest cavity.
Various chest diseases, such as pleurisy and atelectasis, may affect our respiratory function. Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms and can be caused by a variety of reasons, ranging from heart problems to digestive system problems.
Chest injuries are a common form of chest trauma, which causes up to one in four deaths in the United States. In the event of blunt force trauma, ventilation difficulties may occur, leading to serious consequences.
Chest trauma patients may experience difficulty breathing and chest pain, making their condition particularly critical.
Chest pain is often associated with a heart attack, however, not all chest pain means there is a heart problem. The pain may be caused by an upper respiratory tract infection or muscle tension caused by exercise. Heart-related pain is more characteristic and often feels like pressure or oppression.
Understanding the source of chest pain is critical to early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
In some cases, chest pain has a non-cardiac cause, such as an injury to the ribs or sternum. This type of pain is usually more noticeable with deep breathing or coughing. Another non-cardiac cause of chest pain is atelectasis, a condition in which parts of the lung collapse from lack of air, making it difficult for the patient to breathe.
Pneumothorax is an accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space, which may cause chest pain and difficulty breathing. If left untreated, pneumothorax can lead to more serious complications, such as a sudden drop in blood pressure.
The structure of the chest cavity is undoubtedly a great wonder of human anatomy. This complex system not only supports healthy life, but is also a thought-provoking topic of discussion. In our daily lives, how many people really understand and care about the health of their breasts?