Chest

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This article is about the anatomical term. For other uses, see Chest (disambiguation).

Chest anatomy

The chest is a part of the anatomy of humans and various other animals sometimes referred to as the thorax.

[edit] Chest anatomy - Humans and other hominids

In hominids, the chest is the region of the body between the neck and the abdomen, along with its internal organs and other contents. It is mostly protected and supported by the ribcage, spine, and shoulder girdle. Contents of the chest include the following:

organs
- heart
- lungs
muscles

An X-ray of a human chest area, with some structures labeled

- major and minor pectoral muscles
- trapezius muscles and neck
internal structures
arteries and veins
bones
- the shoulder socket containing the upper part of the humerus
- scapula
- sternum
- thoracic portion of the spine
- collarbone
- ribcage
- Floating ribs
external structures
- nipples
- mammary glands
thoracic abdomen (stomach, kidney/adrenal, pancreas, spleen, and lower oesophagus)

In humans, the portion of the chest protected by the ribcage is also called the thorax.

[edit] Chest anatomy - Other animals

Drawing of an insect indicating position of the thorax in blue

In insects and other creatures with an exoskeleton, the area corresponding to the chest is called the thorax.

In four legged mammals, the mammary glands and nipples are located closer to the back legs, and are therefore not part of the chest. Otherwise, the anatomy contains similar internal organs in different configurations.

[edit] Chest injury

Injury to the chest (also referred to as chest trauma, thoracic injury, or thoracic trauma) results in up to ¼ of all deaths due to trauma in the United States.^[1]