| video-assisted thoracic surgery | A less morbid alternative to "open" thoracotomy that employs cameras, optic systems, percutaneous stapling devices, and assorted endoscopic graspers, retractors, and forceps. Also called video thoracoscopic surgery, it can be selectively applied to various pulmonary, pleural, and pericardial lesions. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| medial anterior thoracic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A nerve that arises from the medial cord of the brachial plexus to supply the pectoral muscles; usually pierces pectoralis minor, then continues to supply mainly the sternocostal portion of pectoralis major. Synonym: nervus pectoralis medialis, medial anterior thoracic nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cervical part of thoracic duct | The portion of the thoracic duct above the first rib. Synonym: pars cervicalis ductus thoracici. (05 Mar 2000) |
| posterior thoracic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> Arises from the fifth, sixth, and seventh cervical nerves (roots of brachial plexus), descends the neck behind the brachial plexus, and is distributed to the serratus anterior muscle; it is somewhat unusual in that it courses on the superficial aspect of the muscle is supplies; its paralysis results in "winged scapula". Synonym: nervus thoracicus longus, Bell's respiratory nerve, external respiratory nerve of Bell, posterior thoracic nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| highest thoracic artery | <anatomy, artery> Origin, axillary; distribution, muscles of superior chest; anastomoses, branches of suprascapular, internal thoracic, and thoracoacromial. Synonym: arteria thoracica superior, highest thoracic artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| superior thoracic aperture | The upper boundary of the bony thorax composed of the first thoracic vertebra and the upper margins of the first ribs and manubrium of the sternum. Synonym: apertura thoracis superior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| superior thoracic artery | <anatomy, artery> Origin, axillary; distribution, muscles of superior chest; anastomoses, branches of suprascapular, internal thoracic, and thoracoacromial. Synonym: arteria thoracica superior, highest thoracic artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| syndrome, thoracic outlet | Condition due to compromise of blood vessels or nerve fibres between the armpit (axilla) and base of the neck. (12 Dec 1998) |
| disputed neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome | <syndrome> A highly controversial disorder in which the brachial plexus is reputedly repressed at one or more sites along its course, particularly within the interscalene triangle, and between the normal first thoracic rib and some other structures; frequently attributed to trauma (particularly automobile accidents, and most often diagnosed in young to middle-aged women; no characteristic clinical presentation, although forequarter pain is characteristic; no definite objective findings are present, and no undisputed ancillary diagnostic studies are available. (05 Mar 2000) |
| dissecting thoracic aneurysm | <surgery> A condition in which a weakened portion of the thoracic aorta begins to tear along the longitudinal axis of the vessel. Symptoms include sudden, severe chest pain that may radiate to the back accompanied by nausea, sweating and difficulty breathing. A common risk factor for this event is atherosclerotic vascular disease and-or hypertension. Advanced cases of syphilis (syphilitic aortitis) can also result in acute thoracic dissection as a complication of infection with Treponema pallidum. (11 Jan 1998) |
| dorsal thoracic artery | <anatomy, artery> Origin, subscapular; distribution, muscles of upper part of back; anastomoses, branches of lateral thoracic. Synonym: arteria thoracodorsalis, dorsal thoracic artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| inferior thoracic aperture | The inferior boundary of the bony thorax composed of the twelfth thoracic vertebra and the lower margins of the rib cage and sternum. Synonym: apertura thoracis inferior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| internal thoracic artery | <anatomy, artery> Origin, subclavian; branches, pericardiacophrenic, anterior intercostal, sternal, mediastinal, thymic, bronchial, muscular, and perforating branches, and bifurcates into the musculophrenic and superior epigastric. Synonym: arteria thoracica interna, arteria mammaria interna, internal mammary artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| internal thoracic lymphatic plexus | A lymphatic plexus, including the parasternal; (internal thoracic) lymph nodes, with their vessels, situated along the course of the internal thoracic veins. Synonym: mammary plexus, plexus mammarius. (05 Mar 2000) |
| internal thoracic plexus | An autonomic plexus on the internal thoracic artery derived from the subclavian plexus. Synonym: internal mammary plexus, plexus mammarius internus. (05 Mar 2000) |