What is the Meaning & Definition of chest

The thorax is the top segment of the trunk, shaped like a pyramid with a vertex of the top and bottom, is delimited by the sternum towards front, the spine back and ribs on the sides. In its upper part is related to neck, while the lower is separated from the abdomen by the muscle diaphragm. It is delimited by the ribs, bones arched set ranging from the dorsal spine to the sternum forming a structure shaped box that is intended to provide protection to structures that are located in the interior, as well as support for the inclusion of the muscles related to the process of respiration.

Chest provides protection to vital organs

The most important organ that is located inside the chest is the heart accompanied by major vessels, occupying the middle part or mediastinum which is located between the two lungs. The heart is covered by a membrane called the pericardium that isolates it from neighbouring structures.
Chest provides a frame that protects this important and vulnerable part of the circulatory system, since any traumatic injury of these structures is able to cause death.
Other important structures located in the thorax are the lungs, located on both sides of the heart, esophagus which this is available behind the heart and in front of the spinal column, as well as nerve paths of the sympathetic and parasympathetic system, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and the vestiges of a gland of the endocrine system called timo often atrophy in adulthood.

The structure of the chest is necessary for breathing to occur

The lungs on the other hand are arranged on both sides of the heart on the diaphragm, coated by a membrane called the pleura which has two leaves, a visceral covering of the lungs and a parietal that adheres to the face inside of the chest wall muscles and ribs. Whenever the chest expands the lungs are "stretched" allowing the air inlet.
The intercostal muscles that are arranged between the ribs along with the diaphragm allow to expand the chest creating a negative pressure that facilitates the entry of air to the lungs in a process called inspiration, when they relax favors the opposite process, exhalation, which air leaves the lungs toward the outside.