thoracic

American  

[thaw-ras-ik, thoh-] / θɔˈræs ɪk, θoʊ- /

Also thoracal

adjective

1. of or relating to the thorax.

---

thoracic British  

/ θɔːˈræsɪk /

adjective

1. of, near, or relating to the thorax

---

thoracic Scientific  

/ thə-răs′ĭk /

1. Relating to or located in or near the thorax.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonthoracic adjective
• postthoracic adjective
• prethoracic adjective
• subthoracal adjective
• subthoracic adjective
• transthoracic adjective

Etymology

Origin of thoracic

1650–60; < Medieval Latin thōrācicus < Greek thōrākikós. See thorac-, -ic

Explanation

Thoracic is a medical word for things pertaining to the thorax area of your body: your chest. You’re likely to see the word thoracic in biology class. The thorax is your chest: the area between your neck and abdomen. Therefore, this area is the thoracic region, and that word can be used for issues dealing with this area. Certain exercises are thoracic because they strengthen your chest muscles. Your pectoral muscles are in the thoracic area. Your heart is the most important part of the thoracic area. If you have thoracic pains, you should see a doctor.

Example Sentences

“The concept of screening is to find dangerous things before they do dangerous things,” said Dr. Daniel Boffa, chief of thoracic surgery at Yale.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2024

It was almost ordinary, like watching a woman perform thoracic surgery, or change a tire, or drive a car.

From Slate • Aug. 23, 2024

Also taken to hospital was UAE Team Emirates rider Jay Vine, whose medical director later confirmed had sustained cervical and two thoracic spine vertebral body fractures.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2024

And analysis of the skeletons revealed many of them to be well above average size, with several instances of fused lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae indicative of a life of riding and hard work.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2024

How, for instance, does a wing-making master gene “know” to build a wing in the second thoracic segment, and not, say, the first or third segment?

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee