thorax

thorax
/thawr"aks, thohr"-/, n., pl. thoraxes, thoraces /thawr"euh seez', thohr"-/.
1. Anat. the part of the trunk in humans and higher vertebrates between the neck and the abdomen, containing the cavity, enclosed by the ribs, sternum, and certain vertebrae, in which the heart, lungs, etc., are situated; chest.
2. Zool. a corresponding part in other animals.
3. (in insects) the portion of the body between the head and the abdomen. See diag. under insect.
[1350-1400; ME < L thorax < Gk thórax breastplate, part of body which this covers]

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      in amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, the chest. In humans and other mammals the chest is that part of the body between the neck and abdomen. In humans the bony framework of the thorax consists of the 12 thoracic vertebrae, 12 pairs of ribs, and the sternum (breastbone). The mammalian thorax contains the chief organs of respiration and circulation, namely, the lungs, some air passages, the heart, and the great vessels (see thoracic cavity). Below, it is bounded by the diaphragm. The bony framework is encased with muscles, fat, and cutaneous tissues.

      In insects the thorax is the middle of the three major divisions of the body. It is composed of three parts, each of which commonly bears a pair of legs; the rearward two parts usually each bear a pair of wings.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Synonyms:
, (of the body) / , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • THORAX — Le thorax des Vertébrés représente la partie supérieure ou céphalique du tronc. Dans le cas des Vertébrés aériens, exception faite, néanmoins, du cas des Batraciens, il s’agit d’une cage osseuse largement fenêtrée dont les mouvements incessants… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Thorax — Tho rax, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] 1. (Anat.) The part of the trunk between the neck and the abdomen, containing that part of the body cavity the walls of which are supported by the dorsal vertebr[ae], the ribs, and the sternum, and which the heart and …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • thorax — chest, c.1400, from L. thorax, from Gk. thorax (gen. thorakos) breastplate, chest, of unknown origin …   Etymology dictionary

  • thorax — [thôr′aks΄] n. pl. thoraxes or thoraces [thôr′ə sēz΄] [ME < L < Gr thōrax, chest, breastplate] 1. in tetrapods, including humans, a) the part of the body cavity from the neck or head to the abdomen, containing the heart, lungs, etc.; chest …   English World dictionary

  • Thorax — (gr.), 1) Panzer, s.d. 1); 2) Schnürbrust; 3) Brust, auch der ganze Brustkasten; daher Thoraxarterie, s. Achselarterie; Thoraxgegenden (Regiones thoracicae), Abtheilungen der äußeren Fläche des Brustkastens. Man unterscheidet vorn: die… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Thorax — (griech.), Brustpanzer (s. Rüstung); in der Anatomie die Brust der Wirbeltiere und Gliederfüßer. Bei den letztern ist der T. zuweilen mit dem Kopf zur Kopfbrust (Cephalothorax) verwachsen …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Thorax — (grch.), Brustharnisch; anatomisch der Brustkasten, bei Insekten das Bruststück (s.d.) …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Thorax — Thorax, griech., Brustharnisch; Brustkasten; Thorakocystes, Brustwassersucht …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • Thorax — Thorax, 1) bei Wirbeltieren der von den Rippen gebildete Brustkorb; 2) aus drei Segmenten bestehender, zwischen Kopf und Abdomen liegender, Beine und Flügel tragender Teil des Körpers der Arthropoden …   Deutsch wörterbuch der biologie

  • Thorax — Thorax,der:⇨Brust(I,1) …   Das Wörterbuch der Synonyme

  • thorax — ► NOUN (pl. thoraces or thoraxes) 1) Anatomy & Zoology the part of the body between the neck and the abdomen. 2) the middle section of the body of an insect, bearing the legs and wings. ORIGIN Greek …   English terms dictionary

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