ABSTRACT
This chapter is intended to cover the anatomical knowledge of thorax that helps trainee anesthetists who are revising for the Primary and Final FRCA exams. The topics of importance to anesthetists are presented under 'structures', 'circulation' and 'nervous system'. The chapter also includes a wide range of questions of clinical relevance that are asked in the exam. The superior thoracic aperture '(otherwise called thoracic inlet or outlet)' lies in an oblique transverse plane and connects the thoracic cavity with the root of the neck. The inferior thoracic aperture is larger and more oblique than the thoracic inlet and connects the thorax with the abdomen. Lungs are conical structures, where the right is heavier and larger but shorter than the left. The right lung is divided into three lobes by the oblique and horizontal fissures whilst the left has two lobes formed by the oblique fissure. The heart is a cone-shaped muscular organ weighing around 250 g situated in the middle mediastinum.
