HK 3401 Lecture 15: Thorax 1

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Human Kinetics
• Course: HK 3401
• Professor: Lorraine Jadeski

Document Summary

Thoracic cavity communicates with the neck and upper limb though this structure. Structures entering and leaving the thoracic cavity through this aperture includes the trachea, esophagus, vessels, and nerves. Because of the obliquity of the first pair of ribs, the superior thoracic aperture slopes antero- inferiorly. The superior thoracic aperture is bounded: posteriorly by the t1 vertebra, laterally by the first pair of ribs and their costal cartilages, anteriorly by the superior border of the manubrium. The diaphragm closes the inferior thoracic aperture, separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities almost completely. Much larger than the superior thoracic aperture. Structures passing to and from the thorax and abdomen pass through opening in the diaphragm (inferior vena cava and esophagus) or posterior to it (aorta) Bounded by: posteriorly by t12 vertebra, posterolaterally by the 11th and 12th pairs of ribs. !1: anterolaterally by joined costal cartilages of ribs 7-10 forming the costal margin. Monday, october 31, 2016: anteriorly by xiphisternal joint.