ABSTRACT
Shirts and blouses, backpacks, bras, and sports protective wearables are worn on the upper torso/arms, covering all or sections of the body between the neck and pelvis with or without coverage for all or a portion of the arm. Although the anatomical term arm refers to the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow, unless otherwise noted, we adopt the common meaning for “arm” as the entire upper limb, incorporating the anatomical arm and the forearm (between elbow and wrist).
Basic anatomy of the upper torso and arms
Terminology: Thorax, abdomen, pectoral girdle, arm, axial skeleton, appendicular skeleton
Vital organs, systems: Heart, lungs, digestive (stomach, liver, parts of small and large intestine), lymphatic (lymph collectors, lymph nodes, spleen), nervous system (spinal cord, nerves)
Bony structures for protection and mobility: Rib cage, thoracic and lumbar spine, and spinal relationships—cervical/thoracic/lumbar/sacral/coccygeal
Muscles, ligaments, joints, posture
Spine, rib cage, shoulder, and arm motion
Breasts: Distinguishing female anatomical feature
Wearable product challenges for the torso and arms
Coverage allowing movement, e.g. athletic and leisure wear,
Protecting, monitoring, and controlling upper torso structures and functions, e.g. baseball chest protectors, heart monitors
Aesthetics with function, e.g. fashion bras, nursing bras, mastectomy bras, sport bras, body shapers
Accommodating motion and gender in fit and sizing
