Understanding Suprathoracic Anatomy: Structures and Functions

Suprathoracic refers to the region of the body located above the thorax (chest) or the area between the neck and the abdomen. It is a term used in various medical and anatomical contexts to describe structures and organs that are situated in this region.

Some examples of suprathoracic structures include:

1. The head and neck: This includes the skull, face, and neck muscles.
2. The mediastinum: This is a region of tissue located between the lungs that contains the heart, trachea, esophagus, and other vital structures.
3. The supraclavicular fossa: This is a depression in the bone just above the collarbone (clavicle) that contains the suprascapular nerve and other blood vessels.
4. The thoracic inlet: This is the area where the neck meets the chest, containing the sternoclavicular joint and the thoracic outlet.

In general, the term suprathoracic is used to describe any structure or region of the body that is located above the thorax or chest. It is often used in contrast to subthoracic, which refers to structures located below the thorax.