Inferior thoracic aperture
Last revised by Deleted User on 02 Aug 2021
Citation, DOI and article data
Citation:
Hacking, C. Inferior thoracic aperture. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 18 Oct 2021) https://radiopaedia.org/articles/49844
DOI:
-
Permalink:
rID:
49844
Article created:
Revisions:
3 times by 3 users - see full revision history
System:
Section:
Tag:
-
Synonyms:
The inferior thoracic aperture connects the thorax with the abdomen.
On this page:
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
Related articles: Anatomy: Thoracic
- thoracic skeleton
- thoracic cage
- thoracic spine
- articulations
- muscles of the thorax
- diaphragm
- intercostal space
- intercostal muscles
- variant anatomy
- spaces of the thorax
- thoracic viscera
- lower respiratory tract
-
heart
- cardiac chambers
- heart valves
- cardiac fibrous skeleton
- innervation of the heart
- development of the heart
- cardiac wall
-
pericardium
- epicardium
- epicardial fat pad
- pericardial space
- oblique pericardial sinus
- transverse pericardial sinus
-
pericardial recesses
- aortic recesses
- pulmonic recesses
- postcaval recess
- pulmonary venous recesses
- pericardial ligaments
- myocardium
- endocardium
-
pericardium
- esophagus
- thymus
- breast
- arterial supply of the thorax
-
thoracic aorta (development)
-
ascending aorta
-
aortic root
- aortic annulus
-
coronary arteries
- coronary arterial dominance
- myocardial segments
-
left main coronary artery (LMCA)
- ramus intermedius artery (RI)
-
circumflex artery (LCx)
- obtuse marginal branches (OM1, OM2, etc))
- Kugel's artery
-
left anterior descending artery (LAD)
- diagonal branches (D1, D2, etc)
- septal perforators (S1, S2, etc)
-
right coronary artery (RCA)
- conus artery
- sinoatrial nodal artery
- acute marginal branches (AM1, AM2, etc)
- inferior interventricular artery (PDA)
- posterior left ventricular artery (PLV)
- congenital anomalies
- sinotubular junction
-
aortic root
- aortic arch
- aortic isthmus
- descending aorta
-
ascending aorta
- pulmonary trunk
-
thoracic aorta (development)
- venous drainage of the thorax
- superior vena cava (SVC)
- inferior vena cava (IVC)
-
coronary veins
-
cardiac veins which drain into the coronary sinus
- great cardiac vein
- middle cardiac vein
- small cardiac vein
- posterior vein of the left ventricle
- vein of Marshall (oblique vein of the left atrium)
- anterior cardiac veins
- venae cordis minimae (smallest cardiac veins or thebesian veins)
-
cardiac veins which drain into the coronary sinus
- pulmonary veins
- bronchial veins
- thoracoepigastric vein
- lymphatics of the thorax
- innervation of the thorax
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.