Thoracalregionen

Thoracalregionen is a term used primarily in German medical literature to refer to the distinct zones of the thoracic cavity. The thorax itself is the central compartment of the trunk, bounded anteriorly by the sternum, laterally by the ribs and intercostal muscles, posteriorly by the thoracic vertebrae, and superiorly by the clavicles. The thoracalregionen concept subdivides the thorax into three functional and anatomical segments: the upper thoracalregion, the middle thoracalregion, and the lower thoracalregion.

The upper thoracalregion typically encompasses the thoracic vertebrae T1 to T4 and the upper ribs. It is the seat of the supraclavicular nodes and serves as a transitional zone between the cervical and thoracic anatomical spaces. The middle thoracalregion includes thoracic vertebrae T5 to T8 and the corresponding ribs. This region houses many of the thoracic duct lymphatic vessels and the lower pulmonary lobes. The lower thoracalregion, covering T9 to T12 and the lower ribs, is closely associated with the diaphragm and the abdominal organs that intrude into the thoracic cavity, such as the liver and spleen.

In clinical practice, delineation of thoracalregionen assists surgeons and radiologists in describing tumor locations, staging lung cancer, and planning interventions for infections or traumatic injuries. The terminology is reflected in German-speaking healthcare systems and is also used in comparative anatomy texts to delineate the thoracic subregions across vertebrate species.