noun
thorax
THAW-raks
noun
1
The part of the body between the neck and abdomen, containing the heart and lungs; also the cavity itself.
"X-rays of the thorax showed no sign of fluid around the lungs."
"A rib cage protects and supports the thorax."
2
The middle section of an insect's or arachnid's body, where the legs and wings attach.
"The beetle's wings were folded flat against its thorax."
How to Use Thorax
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe chest region — in humans, the area holding the heart and lungs; in insects, the middle body segment.
Common pairings
thorax cavity
insect thorax
chest and thorax
Word Forms
thoraces plural, thoraxes plural
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X-rays of the _____ showed no sign of fluid around the lungs.
Etymology
From Latin thorax, itself from Greek thōrax, meaning "breastplate" — the body part was named after the armor that covers it.