thoracic cavity
noun
plural thoracic cavities
: the cavity of the thorax (see thorax sense 1) that is bounded below by the diaphragm, is enclosed by the sternum, ribs, and thoracic vertebrae, and that contains the heart and lungs
… an inflammation of the thoracic cavity which feels like a burning stiffness of the muscles …—
Harold Brodky
Harold BrodkyExamples of thoracic cavity in a Sentence
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Over several pages, Ramberg drew and inventively redrew the thoracic cavity of the agonized body in Italian crucifixions, making the depression framed by the ribcage into a positive, phallic form.
—Sue Taylor, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2024
The bone led to a bacterial infection in his thoracic cavity and lingering medical problems, including difficulty breathing.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 25 July 2024
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Sue Taylor, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2024
The bone led to a bacterial infection in his thoracic cavity and lingering medical problems, including difficulty breathing.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 25 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Thoracic cavity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thoracic%20cavity. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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