thorax
Bug's middle segment
The thorax is the middle section of the body, between the head and the abdomen.
In humans, it's the chest—the ribcage and the organs it protects, particularly the heart and lungs.
In insects, the thorax is the segment bearing the legs and wings.
Medical and scientific contexts favor thorax over chest: The X-ray revealed fluid in the thorax.
Bony chest enclosure
- sternumFlat chest bone
- diaphragmMuscle separating chest, abdomen
- pleuraMembrane around lungs
- mediastinumCentral chest cavity region
pericardium · intercostal · vertebrae · clavicle · scapula · aorta · esophagus · trachea
External skeletal structure
- segmentationDivision into sections
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- spiraclesExternal respiratory apertures
- wingsLimbs for flight
legs · arthropod · entomology · abdomen · head · sternum · femur · tarsus
Pulmonary gas exchange
- lungsRespiratory chest organs
- bronchiMain lung air passages
- tracheaRespiratory airway tube
- diaphragmMuscle separating chest, abdomen
alveoli · inhale · exhale · ventilation · airways · oxygen · pulmonary · pleura
Metal torso protection
- cuirassTorso-protecting plate armor
- plastronVentral shell portion
- chestplateArmor protecting the chest
- mailPostal system items
brigandine · hauberk · gorget · aegis · protection · shield · carapace · body armor
Air in pleural space
- pleurisyInflamed lung membrane
- tuberculosisMycobacterial lung disease
- emphysemaDamaged lung air sacs
- COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease
mesothelioma · thymoma · lymphoma · asthma · silicosis · cyanosis · tachypnea · thoracotomy
ribcage
Bony chest enclosure
mediastinum · pericardium · intercostal · vertebrae · clavicle · scapula · aorta · esophagus · trachea · bronchi
exoskeleton
External skeletal structure
- segmentationDivision into sections
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- spiraclesExternal respiratory apertures
wings · legs · arthropod · entomology · abdomen · head · sternum · femur · tarsus · beetle
breathing
Pulmonary gas exchange
diaphragm · alveoli · inhale · exhale · ventilation · airways · oxygen · pulmonary · pleura · respiration
breastplate
Metal torso protection
- cuirassTorso-protecting plate armor
- plastronVentral shell portion
- chestplateArmor protecting the chest
mail · brigandine · hauberk · gorget · aegis · protection · shield · carapace · body armor · kevlar
pneumothorax
Air in pleural space
- pleurisyInflamed lung membrane
- tuberculosisMycobacterial lung disease
- emphysemaDamaged lung air sacs
COPD · mesothelioma · thymoma · lymphoma · asthma · silicosis · cyanosis · tachypnea · thoracotomy · chest pain
- thoraxchest, ribcage, chest cavity, chest wall, sternum
- entomologyentomology, butterfly net, insect net, insect behavior, insect identification
- arthropod anatomyexoskeleton, carapace, abdomen, antennae, appendages
- body planbody plan, bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry, segmentation, body segments
- fly anatomyabdomen, head, wing, leg, antenna
- trilobitestrilobites, glabella, exoskeleton, compound eyes, segments
- thoracic vertebraeTwelve spinal bones behind chest
- thoracic surgeonChest cavity specialist