brystregion

Brystregion, also called the chest region, is a term in human anatomy describing the anterior portion of the thorax that includes the chest wall and, in many contexts, the breast area. It extends superiorly to the base of the neck, laterally toward the midaxillary lines, inferiorly toward the upper abdomen near the diaphragm, and anteriorly over the sternum and costal cartilages, with the posterior boundary formed by the thoracic vertebrae.

The region comprises the thoracic wall—ribs, sternum, and intercostal muscles—and the overlying soft tissues, including the pectoral muscles. In females it contains the mammary glands and surrounding adipose tissue; the breast rests on the pectoral fascia. Innervation is primarily via intercostal nerves; arterial supply comes from branches of the internal thoracic and lateral thoracic arteries. Lymphatic drainage is mainly to axillary lymph nodes and parasternal nodes. Functionally, the chest region protects thoracic organs such as the heart and lungs, supports respiration, and, in females, enables lactation. Anatomical variation is common, with differences arising from sex, age, and body habitus; the region is a common focus for clinical issues ranging from musculoskeletal pain to breast disease.