brjóstholinu

Brjóstholinu, also known as the thoracic cavity, is the space within the chest of vertebrates that contains vital organs. It is enclosed by the rib cage, the sternum (breastbone) at the front, and the thoracic vertebrae at the back. The diaphragm, a muscular sheet, forms the floor of the thoracic cavity and separates it from the abdominal cavity.

The primary occupants of the brjóstholinu are the lungs and the heart. The lungs are responsible for gas exchange, taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide, and are housed within pleural cavities, each lined by a thin membrane called the pleura. The heart, a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body, is located in the mediastinum, a central compartment within the thoracic cavity that also contains the esophagus, trachea, and major blood vessels.

The brjóstholinu plays a crucial role in respiration. When the diaphragm contracts and the rib cage expands, the volume of the thoracic cavity increases, drawing air into the lungs. Conversely, relaxation of these muscles decreases the volume, forcing air out. The protective structure of the rib cage is essential for safeguarding these delicate and vital organs from external injury.