Thoracic cavity
（重定向自Thoracic diseases）
![Thoracic cavity seen from left. Lungs, among others removed.](/Images/godic/202502/16/Gray8460314.png")
![](/Images/godic/202502/16/Blausen_0458_Heart_ThoracicCavity0314.png")
![](/Images/godic/202502/16/Blausen_0467_HeartLocation0314.png")
![Übersicht über die einzelnen Körperhöhlen](/Images/godic/202502/16/Scheme_body_cavities-de.svg0314.png")
The thoracic cavity (or chest cavity) is the chamber of the body of vertebrates that is protected by the thoracic wall (rib cage and associated skin, muscle, and fascia). The central compartment of the thoracic cavity is the mediastinum. There are two openings of the thoracic cavity, a superior thoracic aperture known as the thoracic inlet and a lower inferior thoracic aperture known as the thoracic outlet.