![]() ![]() However, rarely, compression can occur in the thoracic outlet on both sides and so symptoms then occur on both sides. ![]() Thoracic outlet syndrome usually only affects one side of your body. Sometimes, a combination of both nerves and blood vessels may be compressed. In some people, the subclavian artery or subclavian vein may be compressed. This compression causes the typical symptoms (see below). In most cases of thoracic outlet syndrome, it is nerves that are compressed. If you have thoracic outlet syndrome, the nerves and/or blood vessels in the thoracic outlet are squashed (compressed) for some reason. What is thoracic outlet syndrome and what causes it? The subclavian artery and subclavian vein are blood vessels that pass through the thoracic outlet as they connect between your chest and your arm. The brachial plexus, a group of nerves passing from your neck to your arm, passes through the thoracic outlet. You have a thoracic outlet on the left and the right side of your body.Ī number of structures pass through your thoracic outlet, including some important blood vessels and nerves. The thoracic outlet runs from the base of your neck to your armpit. There are also some muscles that surround the thoracic outlet. The thoracic outlet is a space, or passageway, that lies just above your first rib and behind your collarbone (clavicle). The last two pairs of ribs are often called floating ribs because they are just joined to your vertebrae at the back and don't have a connection at the front. ![]() The next three pairs of ribs are joined by their costal cartilage to the rib above them. (Cartilage is a type of special connective tissue.) The costal cartilage connects each rib to your breastbone (sternum). There are seven cervical vertebrae.įor the first seven pairs of ribs, at the front, the other end of each rib is attached to some cartilage called costal cartilage. The cervical vertebrae are the vertebrae in your neck. The thoracic vertebrae are the vertebrae in your chest area (thorax). Together, these twelve pairs of ribs form your rib cage.Īt the back, the head of each rib makes contact with (articulates) one of the thoracic vertebrae. There are twelve pairs of ribs altogether. Your ribs are curved bones that help to protect the heart and lungs. ![]()
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