Inferior thoracic aperture
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
At the time the article was created Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Owen Kang had no recorded disclosures.
View Owen Kang's current disclosuresThe inferior thoracic aperture connects the thorax with the abdomen.
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Gross anatomy
The inferior thoracic aperture is irregular in shape and is more oblique and much larger than the superior thoracic aperture. The diaphragm occupies and closes the inferior thoracic aperture, thereby separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities. For structures to pass between the two cavities, they either pass behind the diaphragm or pass through various diaphragmatic apertures.
Boundaries
- posteriorly: 12th thoracic vertebral body and transverse processes
- posterolaterally: 11th and 12th ribs
- anterolaterally: the costal margins formed by the conjoint costal cartilages of 7th to 10th ribs
- anteriorly: xiphisternal joint
Contents
Apart from the diaphragm, the list of structures that pass through the inferior thoracic outlet is best described by considering the various diaphragmatic apertures:
- aortic hiatus (T12) (not a true aperture)
- esophageal hiatus (T10)
- vena caval foramen (T8)
- lesser apertures
References
- 1. Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Clinically oriented anatomy. LWW. ISBN:1451119453. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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