thorax

[ thawr-aks, thohr- ]

noun

, plural tho·rax·es, tho·ra·ces [thawr, -, uh, -seez, thohr, -].

1. Anatomy. the part of the trunk in humans and higher vertebrates between the neck and the abdomen, containing the cavity, enclosed by the ribs, sternum, and certain vertebrae, in which the heart, lungs, etc., are situated; chest.
2. Zoology. a corresponding part in other animals.
3. (in insects) the portion of the body between the head and the abdomen.

thorax

/ ˈθɔːræks /

noun

1. the part of the human body enclosed by the ribs
2. the corresponding part in other vertebrates
3. the part of an insect's body between the head and abdomen, which bears the wings and legs

thorax

/ thôr′ăks′ /

, Plural thoraxes thôr′ə-sēz′

1. The upper part of the trunk in vertebrate animals. The thorax includes the rib cage, which encloses the heart and lungs. In mammals, the thorax lies above the abdomen and below the neck.
2. The middle division of the body of an insect, to which the wings and legs are attached. The thorax lies between the head and the abdomen.

thorax

1. The part of the body between the neck and diaphragm ; the chest.

Word History and Origins

Origin of thorax¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin thōrāx < Greek thṓrāx breastplate, part of body which this covers

Word History and Origins

Origin of thorax¹

C16: via Latin from Greek thōrax breastplate, chest

Example Sentences

The bees used a variety of signals to communicate with each other, including several kinds of sounds made by vibrating the wings and thorax very quickly.

From Popular-Science

The tip of the western bumblebee abdomen can be whitish or rusty, yellow hairs may be present or absent above that, and all of these bumblebees have yellow hairs at the front of their thorax behind the head.

From Nautilus

So they heat up faster than the thorax and can rapidly overheat.

From Science News For Students

She was severely beaten, with a dozen broken ribs, a lacerated liver, and signs of strangulation that included a fractured thorax.

From The Daily Beast

"There were wounds to the head, and to the thorax," said Dr. Pereira.

From The Daily Beast

The body is very convex:, having the thorax as wide as the abdomen, subquadrate, with very convex sides.

From Project Gutenberg

Thorax haud marginatus lateribus haud rotundatis subcylindricus antice angustius, postice sublobatus.

From Project Gutenberg

Thorax convexus antice posticeque marginatus lateribus rotundatis haud marginatis.

From Project Gutenberg

The head and thorax are of the colour of the wings, their sides and the conical abdomen being rather lighter.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. Ayloff was one of the first to go, with some affection of the muscles of the thorax, which took him painfully at night.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• breast
• heart
• rib cage