thorax

/ˈθɔːræks/ (bre, ipa) · [θˈɔræks] /ˈθɔːræks/ (ame, ipa) · [θˈɔræks] /ˈthȯr-ˌaks How to pronounce thorax (audio)/ (ame, mw)

thorax — noun

  • thoraxsingular
  • thoracesplural

1. the rib-covered chest area in a person or animal, above the belly and below the

1.名詞C2
釋義

the rib-covered chest area in a person or animal, above the belly and below the throat, holding the heart and lungs

例句

The doctor pressed Hamza's thorax to check whether any ribs were broken.

medical exam: press the thorax to check ribs

A deep cut across Naoko's thorax needed stitches at the emergency room.

同義詞
  • chest

    everyday word for this body area, with less scientific tone

  • rib cage

    focuses on the bones inside the thorax rather than the whole area

  • torso

    wider term for the main body, including more than the thorax

文法句型

injury to the thorax

inside the thorax

用法筆記

Common in medical or scientific writing. In everyday speech, people usually say 'chest', especially when talking about pain or breathing.

2. the body segment in an insect or similar arthropod that comes after the head, be

2.名詞C2
釋義

the body segment in an insect or similar arthropod that comes after the head, before the abdomen, and where its legs and wings attach

例句

In science class, Kofi labeled the bee's thorax before drawing its wings.

insect diagram: label the thorax

The ant's thorax was darker than its head and abdomen.

同義詞
  • middle section

    plain descriptive phrase, not a technical anatomy term

  • body segment

    general biology term that does not specifically mean the thorax

文法句型

the thorax of + insect

legs attached to the thorax

用法筆記

Common in biology and insect study. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is for insects and similar small creatures, not the human chest.