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thoracic cavity

thoracic cavity

1 5.9
The space inside the chest between the ribs and the diaphragm that holds the heart and lungs
  • noun
  • /θəˈræsɪk ˈkævɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cavidad torácica
  • Pitch variation during speech or singing is a dynamic sequence of fine-motor events within the face, throat, larynx, and thoracic cavity.

And when we do that, we take up space in our thoracic cavity and our diaphragm moves down.

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Examples

  • The patient was admitted with pain in the lower thoracic cavity, projectile vomiting, and viscous steatorrhea.

  • During the procedure, the surgeon carefully examined the thoracic cavity for any abnormalities.

  • And people, I mean, we're just these big skin-bags of blood, and you have this big beautiful thoracic cavity to hold it all in.

  • And when we do that, we take up space in our thoracic cavity and our diaphragm moves down.

  • From the middle of the 14th century, virtually all representations of the heart show it being held by the tip, with the base pointing upwards, thus conforming to its actual position in the thoracic cavity.

    Academic text (2001)
  • We were able to administer intra-operative heated chemotherapy directly to the thoracic cavity immediately following the completion of surgical resection.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The limitation of this technique is encountered when the surgeon is dealing with a cancer that has invaded muscle or surrounding structures or has massively extended within the thoracic cavity.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The thoracic cavity contains vital organs like the heart and lungs.

  • The ribs protect the thoracic cavity, which houses the heart and respiratory system.

Synonyms

chest
vsthoracic cavity
1.0

The front part of the body between the neck and stomach that holds the heart and lungs

describes the enclosed inner space bounded by ribs and diaphragm
chest cavity
vsthoracic cavity
8 3.6

The space inside the chest that holds the heart and lungs

includes additional organs beyond heart and lungs
thorax
vsthoracic cavity
  • Specialized
5 7.7

The body area between the neck and the belly that forms the chest

refers to the internal space bounded by ribs and diaphragm

Surface Forms

Morphology

thoracic + cavity

The meaning is directly compositional: 'thoracic' specifies the chest region and 'cavity' denotes a hollow or space, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer 'the space within the chest containing organs.' Although the term is technical, the anatomical naming pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so the overall sense is immediately deducible from the parts.

Etymology

Thoracic cavity names a simple image: thoracic means 'chest' and cavity means 'hollow space', so the phrase refers to the hollow space in the chest that 'holds' the heart and lungs.