thorax
Americannoun
PLURAL
thoraxes, thoraces-
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.
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Zoology. a corresponding part in other animals.
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(in insects) the portion of the body between the head and the abdomen.
noun
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the part of the human body enclosed by the ribs
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the corresponding part in other vertebrates
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the part of an insect's body between the head and abdomen, which bears the wings and legs
PLURAL
thoraxes-
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.
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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.
Etymology
Origin of thorax
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin thōrāx < Greek thṓrāx breastplate, part of body which this covers
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The first controls the formation of colour pattern on the wings, while the second controls the colouring of the head, thorax and abdomen.
From Science Daily
They take these antibiotics from the metapleural gland, which is located on the side of their thorax.
From Science Daily
They’re mostly black except for yellow splotches on the top of their thorax and heads.
From Seattle Times
Some drones got little paper tags containing an individual code as well as a code for the orientation on the thorax.
From Science Daily
The probable cause of death was a “violent shock to the thorax caused by a projectile of the ‘flashball’ type,” commonly used by French police for riot control.
From Seattle Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
