The Chest CavityThe lungs are housed in the chest cavity, a space that also includes the mediastinum. The mediastinum contains the heart, thymus, and lymph nodes, along with portions of the aorta, vena cava, trachea, esophagus, and various nerves. It encompasses the area bordered by the sternum in front, the spinal column in back, the entrance to the chest cavity above, and the diaphragm below. Functionally, the mediastinum isolates the left and right lung from each other. For example, if the chest wall is punctured on one side, causing that lung to collapse, the other lung remains inflated and functioning, because the two lungs are separated. The lungs and other organs in the chest are protected by a bony cage, which is formed by the breastbone (sternum), ribs, and spine. The 12 pairs of ribs curve around the chest from the back. Each pair is joined to the bones (vertebrae) of the spine. In the front of the body, the upper seven pairs of ribs are attached to the sternum by cartilage. The eighth, ninth, and tenth pairs of ribs join the cartilage of the pair above; the last two pairs (floating ribs) are shorter and do not join in the front. |
