thorax

thorax

tho·rax / ˈ[unvoicedth]ôrˌaks/ • n. (pl. tho·rax·es or tho·ra·ces / ˈ[unvoicedth]ôrəˌsēz/ ) Anat. & Zool. the part of the body of a mammal between the neck and the abdomen, including the cavity enclosed by the ribs, breastbone, and dorsal vertebrae, and containing the chief organs of circulation and respiration; the chest. ∎  Zool. the corresponding part of a bird, reptile, amphibian, or fish. ∎  Entomol. the middle section of the body of an insect, between the head and the abdomen, bearing the legs and wings.

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"thorax." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"thorax." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-thorax.html

"thorax." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-thorax.html

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thorax

thorax body division found in certain animals. In humans and other mammals it lies between the neck and abdomen and is also called the chest. The skeletal frame of the thorax is formed by the sternum (breastbone) and ribs in front and the dorsal vertebrae in back. Within the thoracic cavity are the heart, lungs, and esophagus. The chest and abdominal cavities are separated by a muscular structure, the diaphragm. In insects and other arthropods the thorax is a body division consisting of several segments lying between the head and abdomen, to which are attached legs or other appendages.

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"thorax." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"thorax." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-thorax.html

"thorax." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-thorax.html

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thorax

thorax The anterior region of the body trunk of animals. In vertebrates it contains the heart and lungs within the rib cage. It is particularly well-defined in mammals, being separated from the abdomen by the diaphragm. In insects the thorax is divided into an anterior prothorax, a middle mesothorax, and a posterior metathorax, each of which bears a pair of legs; the hindmost two segments also both carry a pair of wings. In other arthropods, especially crustaceans and arachnids, the thorax is fused with the head to form a cephalothorax.

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"thorax." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"thorax." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-thorax.html

"thorax." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-thorax.html

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thorax

thorax
1. The anterior portion of the body of an animal. In vertebrates it contains the heart and lungs and is separated by the diaphragm from the abdomen.

2. The three segments of the body of an insect that lie between the head and the abdomen. Each thoracic segment carries a pair of legs. The three thoracic segments are termed the prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax. The mesothorax and metathorax may each carry a pair of wings.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "thorax." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "thorax." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-thorax.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "thorax." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-thorax.html

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thorax

thorax The three segments of the body of an arthropod (Arthropoda) that lie between the head and the abdomen. Each thoracic segment carries a pair of legs. The three thoracic segments are termed the prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax. In insects (Insecta), the mesothorax and metathorax may each carry a pair of wings. See TRILOBITOMORPHA.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "thorax." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "thorax." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-thorax.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "thorax." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-thorax.html

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thorax

thorax (thor-aks) n. the chest: the part of the body cavity between the neck and the diaphragm. The skeleton of the thorax is formed by the sternum, costal cartilages, ribs, and thoracic vertebrae. It encloses the lungs, heart, oesophagus, and associated structures. Compare abdomen.
thoracic adj.

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"thorax." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"thorax." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-thorax.html

"thorax." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-thorax.html

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thorax

thorax In animal anatomy, part between the neck and the abdomen. In mammals, it is formed by the rib cage and contains the lungs, heart and oesophagus. In insects, it consists of several segments to which legs and other appendages are attached.

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"thorax." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"thorax." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-thorax.html

"thorax." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-thorax.html

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thorax

thorax (anat.) part of the body between the neck and the abdomen. XVI. — L. thōrāx — Gr. thṓrāx, -āk- breastplate, breast, chest.
So thoracic XVII. — medL. — Gr.

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T. F. HOAD. "thorax." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "thorax." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-thorax.html

T. F. HOAD. "thorax." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-thorax.html

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thorax

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"thorax." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"thorax." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-thorax.html

"thorax." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-thorax.html

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