Detail structure of thoracic wall

 

Structure -

             The bony skeletal  part of the thoracic wall is the rib cage , and the rest is made up of muscles, skin and fascia. The chest wall has 10 layer namely skin superficial,deep fascia serratus anterior , layer for ribs ( containing intercostal muscles) and endothoracic from superficial to deep. However, the muscular layers very according to the region of the chest Wall. For example,  they may include muscles like pectoralis major or latssimus Dorsi.  

Function - 

           The structures of the thoracic wall protect the heart, lungs, and great vessels as well as some abdominal organs. Additionally, the bony structures provide attachment points for muscles and allow for the mechanical function of ventilation. When not breathing for long and dangerous periods of time in cold water, a persons body undergoes great temporary changes to try to prevent death. It achieves this through the activation of the reflex, which has 3 main properties bradycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction . There is a blood shifts which occur only  during very deep effect the thoracic cavity ( a chamber of the body protected by the thoracic wall).