chest

the upper part of the body cavity, separated from the lower abdomen by the DIAPHRAGM . The chest cavity is enclosed within the rib cage. The thoracic skeleton consists of the RIBS and COSTAL CARTILAGES attached to the STERNUM (breast-bone) at the front. At the back, the ribs join the thoracic VERTEBRAE of the spine. The thorax contains the LUNGS , HEART and OESOPHAGUS and above it lie the neck and head.