The word "thoracic limb" refers to the forelimbs of a mammal, specifically those that attach to the thorax. Its pronunciation is thuh-ras-ik lim, with stress placed on the first syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /θ əˈræs ɪk lɪm/. The "th" at the beginning is pronounced with a voiceless dental fricative, represented by the symbol /θ/. The vowel sounds in "thoracic" are pronounced with a schwa in the second and fourth syllables, signified by the symbol /ə/.
A thoracic limb is one of the four limbs or appendages in mammals, situated in the area of the thorax or chest. It is commonly referred to as the front limb or forelimb. This limb is specifically found in animals with a well-developed bony structure, such as mammals, and plays a crucial role in locomotion, stability, and manipulation.
The thoracic limb consists of several key components including the upper arm (brachium), forearm (antebrachium), wrist (carpus), palm (metacarpus), and digits (fingers). The upper arm is connected to the torso through the shoulder joint and houses the major bones, namely the humerus. The forearm, adjacent to the upper arm, is composed of two bones, the radius and the ulna. The wrist, located at the distal end of the forearm, contains a cluster of small bones called the carpal bones. The palm consists of the metacarpal bones, which extend from the wrist to the base of the fingers. Finally, the digits or fingers are comprised of bones known as phalanges.
The thoracic limb is responsible for a wide range of functions, including weight-bearing, jumping, climbing, digging, and manipulating objects. It is an essential anatomical feature that facilitates numerous activities required for survival and adaptation in various environments.
An upper extremity.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "thoracic" originates from the Late Latin word "thoracicus", which is derived from the Greek word "thōrakikos". "Thōrakikos" pertains to the thorax, the chest or the part of the body between the neck and the abdomen.
The word "limb" comes from the Old English "lim" and the Old Norse "limr", both of which mean "branch" or "limb". In later Middle English, "limb" began to be used specifically for the appendages of the body, such as arms and legs.
When combined, "thoracic limb" refers to the limbs attached to the thorax or chest region of an animal's body. It is commonly used in anatomy to describe the forelimbs of tetrapods, including humans.