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thoraces

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tho⋅rax

[thawr-aks, thohr-]
–noun, plural tho⋅rax⋅es, tho⋅ra⋅ces [thawr-uh-seez, thohr-] .
1. Anatomy. the part of the trunk in humans and higher vertebrates between the neck and the abdomen, containing the cavity, enclosed by the ribs, sternum, and certain vertebrae, in which the heart, lungs, etc., are situated; chest.
2. Zoology. a corresponding part in other animals.
3. (in insects) the portion of the body between the head and the abdomen.


Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L thōrāx < Gk thrāx breastplate, part of body which this covers
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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tho·ra·ces   (thôr'ə-sēz', thōr'-)   
n.  A plural of thorax.
tho·rax   (thôr'āks', thōr'-)   
n.   pl. tho·rax·es or tho·ra·ces (thôr'ə-sēz', thōr'-)
  1. The part of the human body between the neck and the diaphragm, partially encased by the ribs and containing the heart and lungs; the chest.

  2. A part in other vertebrates that corresponds to the human thorax.

  3. The second or middle region of the body of an arthropod, between the head and the abdomen, in insects bearing the true legs and wings.


[Middle English, from Latin thōrāx, breastplate, chest, from Greek.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

thorax [(thawr-aks)]

The part of the body between the neck and diaphragm; the chest.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

thorax 
"chest," c.1400, from L. thorax, from Gk. thorax (gen. thorakos) "breastplate, chest," of unknown origin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: thoraces
plural of THORAX

Main Entry: tho·rax
Pronunciation: 'thO(&)r-"aks, 'tho(&)r-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural tho·rax·es or tho·ra·ces /'thOr-&-"sEz, 'thor-/
1 : the part of the mammalian body that is situated between the neck and the abdomen and supported by theribs, costal cartilages, and sternum; also : THORACIC CAVITY
2 : the middle of thethree chief divisions of the body of an insect; also : the corresponding part of a crustacean or an arachnid
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

thorax tho·rax (thôr'āks')
n. pl. tho·rax·es or tho·ra·ces (thôr'ə-sēz')

  1. The part of the human body between the neck and the diaphragm, partially encased by the ribs and containing the heart and lungs; the chest.

  2. A part in other vertebrates that corresponds to the human thorax.

  3. The second or middle region of the body of an arthropod, between the head and the abdomen, in insects bearing the legs and wings.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
thorax   (thôr'āks')  Pronunciation Key 
Plural thoraxes or thoraces (thôr'ə-sēz')
  1. The upper part of the trunk in vertebrate animals. The thorax includes the rib cage, which encloses the heart and lungs. In mammals, the thorax lies above the abdomen and below the neck.

  2. The middle division of the body of an insect, to which the wings and legs are attached. The thorax lies between the head and the abdomen.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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