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Thoracic Inlet

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Description

  • Thoracic inlet houses superior mediastinal structures.[1]
    Thoracic inlet houses superior mediastinal structures.[1]
  • Graphical definition of thoracic inlet angle[2]
    Graphical definition of thoracic inlet angle[2]
  • Thoracic inlet (TI) measurement.[3]
    Thoracic inlet (TI) measurement.[3]
  • Superior thoracic aperture anatomy
    Superior thoracic aperture anatomy
Anatomy of the thoracic inlet[4]
The superior thoracic aperture[5]
(A) Axial diagram through the level of C7, just above the level of the thoracic inlet, illustrates the relationships of the thyroid, trachea, and esophagus. Note the common visceral space at this anatomic level (ie, the pretracheal and retrovisceral spaces freely communicate). (B) Axial diagram through the level of T1, at the level of the thoracic inlet. Because of the anterior-inferior slope of the thoracic inlet, the clavicles and manubrium are absent on this true axial section. The superior margin of the manubrium would be visible on a section through the level of T2–3. DLDCF, deep layer deep cervical fascia; MLDCF, middle layer deep cervical fascia; SCF, superficial cervical fascia; SLDCF, superficial layer deep cervical fascia[6]

Name

  • Thoracic inlet
  • Superior thoracic aperture
  • Cervicothoracic junction

General

  • More accurately termed the superior thoracic aperture
  • Opening at the superior aspect of the thoracic cavity
  • Connects the neck to the thorax

Boundaries

  • Anterior: Superior border of the manubrium
  • Posterior: Body of the T1 vertebra
  • Lateral: First ribs and their costal cartilages (bilaterally)

Anatomic Orientation

  • Slopes downward anterior → posterior

Structures Passing through

Function

  • Serves as the transition zone between the neck and thorax
  • Allows passage of major neurovascular structures between the thorax and upper extremities/head
  • Protects vital airway, vascular, and neurologic structures at the cervicothoracic junction
  • Plays a role in upper limb perfusion and innervation

Distinction from Thoracic Outlet

  • Thoracic inlet: characterizing what is entering the thorax
  • Thoracic outlet: characterizes what is leaving the thorax to upper limb and neck

Clinical Significance

Pathology

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Kohler, Felix C., et al. "Open versus minimally invasive fixation of thoracic and lumbar spine fractures in patients with ankylosing spinal diseases." European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery 48.3 (2022): 2297-2307.
  2. ↑ Chen, Yiwei, et al. "The change of cervical spine alignment along with aging in asymptomatic population: a preliminary analysis." European Spine Journal 26.9 (2017): 2363-2371.
  3. ↑ Pasquel, Leonardo Daniel Manzano, et al. "Does the diameter of the thoracic inlet influence the formation of retrosternal goiter?." Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology 91 (2025): 101597.
  4. ↑ Nguyen, Trinh T., et al. "Non-neoplastic pathology at the crossroads between neck imaging and cardiothoracic imaging." Insights into Imaging 10.1 (2019): 116.
  5. ↑ Case courtesy of Frank Gaillard, Radiopaedia.org, rID: 71917
  6. ↑ Parker, Ellen E., and Christine M. Glastonbury. "MR imaging of the thoracic inlet." Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America 16.2 (2008): 341-353.
Created by:
John Kiel on 10 February 2026 16:09:56
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Last edited:
16 February 2026 10:22:56
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