thoracis

Thoracis is the Latin genitive singular form of thorax, used in anatomical terminology to indicate relation to the thoracic region. In Latin-based nomenclature, thoracis serves as a linking element meaning “of the thorax” and does not name a specific structure on its own. It appears in compound terms that describe areas, cavities, or structures within the chest.

Common examples include cavitas thoracis, the thoracic cavity, and mediastinum thoracis, the mediastinal region of the thorax. The term also appears in other thorax-related phrases such as columna thoracis (the thoracic spine) and musculus thoracis in certain veterinary or historical texts, where it designates chest-associated muscles. These usages illustrate how thoracis conveys a relationship to the chest in a variety of anatomical contexts.

In modern English texts, thoracis is encountered mainly within formal Latin names or in educational materials that preserve classical terminology. The corresponding English adjective is thoracic, while thoracis functions as a genitive form signaling “of the thorax” within Latin phrases. Understanding this helps interpret terms like vertebrae thoracicae (thoracic vertebrae) and cavitas thoracis (thoracic cavity).

See also: thorax, thoracic cavity, mediastinum thoracis, columna thoracis.