Tag: thoracic

Most anatomy textbooks begin with descriptions of body cavities and body regions.  These terms are important for identifying the location of structures.  For example, you will fund the lungs within the thoracic cavity, which is the region superior to the diaphragm.   The stomach and digestive organs are …

The esophageal hiatus is the opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes and then enters the stomach.  It can be viewed by pushing aside the lungs and heart within the thoracic cavity and tracing the esophagus to the diaphragm.    The inferior vena cava also can …

The heart and lungs of mammals are closely associated.  You can find the lungs located on either side of the heart and often toward the dorsal side of the thoracic cavity.  The lungs are soft, spongy tissue that are attached to the heart by the pulmonary artery and …

The cervical vertebrae are the first 7 vertebrae of the neck.   The first two (C1 and C2) are the axis and the atlas and have unique features associated with their role of holding up the skull and providing a pivot joint around which the skull can rotate. …