Inferior Thoracic Aperture

The inferior thoracic aperture is much larger than the superior thoracic aperture. In layman's terms, it is the round opening whose edges are the lowest ribs. It is closed by the diaphragm, which separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

The inferior thoracic aperture is bounded by:

  • the 12th thoracic vertebra posteriorly,
  • 11th and 12th pairs of ribs laterally,
  • costal cartilages of ribs 7 through 10 anteriorly,
  • and the xiphisternal joint - (i.e.: the articulation between the xiphoid process and the inferior border of the sternal body) anteriorly.

Structures passing through the inferior thoracic aperture between the thorax and abdomen include the inferior vena cava and esophagus, both of which pass through the diaphragm, and the abdominal aorta and thoracic duct which pass posterior to the diaphragm through the aortic hiatus.

Bones of torso (TA A02.2,3, GA 2.96–128)
Vertebra
General structures
  • body of vertebra
  • vertebral arch (pedicle, lamina, vertebral notch)
  • foramina (vertebral, intervertebral)
  • processes (transverse, articular/zygapophysis, spinous)
  • spinal canal
Cervical vertebrae
  • Uncinate process of vertebra
  • Transverse foramen
  • Anterior tubercle
  • Carotid tubercle
  • Posterior tubercle
  • C1 (lateral mass, anterior arch, posterior arch)
  • C2 (dens)
  • C3
  • C4
  • C5
  • C6
  • C7
Thoracic vertebrae
  • T1
  • T2
  • T3
  • T4
  • T5
  • T6
  • T7
  • T8
  • T9
  • T10
  • T11
  • T12
  • costal facets (superior, inferior, transverse)
  • Uncinate process of vertebra
Lumbar vertebrae
  • L1, L2, L3, L4, L5
  • processes (accessory, mammillary)
Sacrum
  • Base: sacral promontory
  • ala of sacrum
  • Lateral surface: sacral tuberosity
  • pelvic surface (anterior sacral foramina)
  • Dorsal surface: posterior sacral foramina
  • median sacral crest
  • medial sacral crest
  • lateral sacral crest
  • sacral canal (sacral hiatus)
Coccyx
  • Coccygeal cornu
Thoracic skeleton
Rib
  • specific ribs (1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, true – 1–7, false – 8–12, floating – 11–12)
  • parts (Angle, Tubercle, Costal groove, Neck, Head)
Sternum
  • Suprasternal notch
  • Manubrium
  • Sternal angle
  • Body of sternum
  • Xiphisternal joint
  • Xiphoid process
Thoracic cage
  • Superior thoracic aperture
  • Inferior thoracic aperture
  • Intercostal space
  • Costal margin
  • Infrasternal angle

M: BON/CAR

anat(c/f/k/f, u, t/p, l)/phys/devp/cell

noco/cong/tumr, sysi/epon, injr

proc, drug(M5)

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