Regional Anatomy of the Thoracic Cavity and Its Clinical Application

The thoracic cavity is formed by the thoracic wall and diaphragm. It superiorly connects the neck via the superior thoracic inlet and inferiorly separates from the abdominal cavity via the diaphragm. A sagittal mediastinum lies in the central part of the thoracic cavity and contains two pleural cavities and lungs laterally. The major contents in the thoracic cavity include the pleura, trachea and main bronchi, lungs, heart, pericardium and pericardial cavity, great vessels of the heart, esophagus, lymph nodes, thoracic duct, and nerves.