GLOSSARY

The thoracic wall is the musculoskeletal structure that protects the heart, lungs, and upper abdominal organs and, through its movement, makes breathing possible.

Components

• Skeleton: 12 pairs of ribs and costal cartilages, the sternum (manubrium, body, and xiphoid process), and 12 thoracic vertebrae.
• Muscles: the external, internal, and innermost intercostals, transversus thoracis, and subcostals.
• Intercostal vessels and nerves: in the groove beneath each rib, arranged from above downward as vein, artery, and nerve (VAN).
• Inner lining: the endothoracic fascia and parietal pleura.

Breathing Movements