Veterinary Gross Anatomy

THORAX

Ox

• The thoracic cavity is the anterior of the three visceral cavities.
• It is compressed laterally and is narrow in front and wide behind.
• The roof is formed by the bodies of the dorsal vertebrae.
• The lateral walls are formed by the ribs and their cartilages.
• The base slopes obliquely downwards and forwards and is bounded superiorly by the last dorsal, inferiorly by the last sternebra and laterally by the last ribs and their cartilages.
• The thoracic inlet is oval and limited above by the first dorsal vertebra below by the first sternebra, and laterally by the two first ribs. In life, the inlet is closed by a number of structures, which enter and leave the thorax while the base is closed by the diaphragm.
• The intercostal muscles fill up the intercostal spaces between the ribs.

Sheep and Goat

• As in ox

Horse

• It is very much compressed laterally.
• It is longer than in ox.

Pig

• Relatively wide.

Dog

• It is barrel-shaped.

Rabbit

• It is short.

Fowl

• The thoracic cavity is continuous with abdomial cavity and relatively wide.