thoracique

Thoracique is a French adjective meaning relating to the thorax, or chest. It is used in anatomy and medicine to qualify structures, regions, and conditions associated with the thoracic cavity. The term derives from Latin thoracicus, itself from Greek thorax, thorakos, both meaning chest.

In human anatomy, thoracique designations cover the major parts of the chest: the cavité thoracique (thoracic cavity), which contains the heart and lungs; the cage thoracique (rib cage), formed by the sternum, ribs, and thoracic vertebrae; and the vertèbres thoraciques (thoracic vertebrae) T1 through T12. The diaphragm forms the boundary with the abdominal cavity. Other related terms include région thoracique (thoracic region) and paroi thoracique (chest wall), including the intercostal muscles that participate in respiration.

Clinically, the adjective appears in phrases such as douleur thoracique (chest pain), pathologies thoraciques (thoracic diseases), chirurgie thoracique (thoracic surgery), and radiographie thoracique (chest radiography). In English, the corresponding term is thoracic. The use of thoracique helps distinguish chest-related anatomy and medicine from cervical or abdominal domains, and it is common in French medical literature and education.