Chest Disorders

The ribcage is like a slatted box protecting the lungs, heart and main blood vessels. It expands and contracts while breathing.

The diaphragm is a muscular sheet separating the chest and abdominal cavities.

The oesophagus or gullet descends through the diaphragm to join the stomach.

From the throat inhaled air passes down the hrynx or voice box to the trachea, together commonly called the windpipe, which divides into the main bronchi of the lung on either side. These tubes divide into narrow bronchi, then into the narrower bronchioles. These fine tubes end in alveoli, the bubbles of lung tissue in which exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place between the blood in tiny blood vessels and the inhaled air.

Fine hair-like cilia in the lung tubes push out any mucus secretion, which may be brought out by coughing.

The heart is placed centrally and a little to the left.