Organs in the Thoracic Cavity

There are many cavities in the human body. The cavities in the human body include the cranial cavity in the head, the thoracic cavity, the abdominopelvic body cavity below the thoracic cavity, dorsal cavity that covers the backside of the body, etc. Thoracic cavity or the chest cavity is the chamber in the human body and even animal body that is protected by a thoracic wall. In animals like livestock, the organs in the thoracic cavity are known as pluck.

The thoracic cavity is the second largest cavity in the body. The ribs, vertebral column and the sternum (breast bone) enclose the thoracic cavity. The thoracic cavity is lined by a serous membrane. It excludes a thin fluid or serum. This part of the thoracic cavity is called the parietal pleura. This membrane continues covering the lung and is known as the visceral pleura. The heart, esophagus and the great vessels are also covered by the membrane known as mediastinal pleura. The pressure between the parietal pleura and the visceral pleural is less than the outer atmosphere, due to the atmospheric pressure. Thus, this causes friction between the two during respiration process by the lungs that is lubricated by the fluid secreted by the serous membrane. Many organs are located in the thoracic cavity. Are you wondering what organs are in the thoracic cavity? Read on to know the answer to organs in the thoracic cavity.

What are the Thoracic Cavity Organs?

The thoracic wall or rib cage is sometimes called thoracic cage. The thoracic cavity protects many organs that are vital to the functioning of the body and even life. Let us look at the various organs in the thoracic cavity in short.

• Cardiovascular System: One of the most important part of the human body system is the cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system consist of the heart and all the great vessels of the heart. The great vessels include the thoracic aorta, the pulmonary artery, the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava, the pulmonary veins and azygos vein.
• Respiratory System: I call the respiratory system as the support system of cardiovascular system. The respiratory system organs in the thoracic cavity are airways, lungs, trachea and the bronchi. Read more on organs of the respiratory system.
• Digestive System: You may be wondering that the organs in the digestive system are located in the abdominal cavity. True, but the esophagus, the tube that carries food to the stomach is located in the thoracic cavity. The thymus or thyroid gland is also a part of the organs in the thoracic cavity.
• Nervous System: The paired vagus nerves, the paired sympathetic chains are nervous system organs in the human body.
• Lymphatic System: The thoracic duct, a part of lymphatics is also present as an organ in the thoracic cavity.
• Cavities with the Cavity: Confusing? Well, there are three spaces in the thoracic cavity that are lined with mesothelium. These cavities include the pleural cavities, pericardial cavity and the mediastinum. The mediastinum contails are the organs that are located in the center of the chest between the two lungs.

As you grow, your thoracic cavity also grows, leaving enough space between the organs. Thus, making it easier for the surgeons to operate on an adult as compared to an infant or child. When the pleural cavity is breached by an external factor like bullet wound or stab, it results in pneumothorax or air cavity. When the volume of air is very high in the pneumothorax, it can lead to collapse of one or both lungs. This calls for immediate medical attention. These are all the organs in the thoracic body. One can safely say the thoracic cavity is the vault of the human body that contains the most precious organs essential to life.