Word parts
What it means
Describes the thorax, the part of the body between the neck and the diaphragm that holds the heart and lungs. The thoracic cavity is the space inside the chest. The 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1 to T12) form the middle back, and each one joins a pair of ribs. Thoracic surgery is surgery on the chest organs.
At a glance
| Spanish | torácico |
|---|
Related terms
cardiopulmonary
Relating to the heart and lungs together.
chest x-ray
An x-ray picture of the chest that shows the lungs, heart, large blood vessels, ribs and diaphragm.
intercostal
Between the ribs.
thorac/o
A word part that means the chest.