thoracic apertures (anatomy)

Last reviewed 01/2018

There are two key apertures within the thorax:

  • superior thoracic aperture; also termed the thoracic inlet
  • inferior thoracic aperture; also termed the thoracic outlet

Clinically, the superior thoracic aperture is termed occasionally as the thoracic 'outlet' e.g. as in the thoracic outlet syndrome.