Thoracic outlet syndrome?

[Wahoo07]

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I'm a bit confused as to why thoracic outlet syndrome (FA 2003 p 117) is named the way it is. Isn't the thoracic outlet the inferior apeture bounded by T12, the xiphosternal junction, and the lower ribs? And isn't the thoracic inlet bounded by T1, the first rib, and manubrium? So shouldn't thoracic OUTlet syndrome really be called thoracic INlet syndrome? I looked up the boundaries online and it seems that everyone agrees with the boundaries I gave yet they still call it thoracic outlet syndrome. 😕

 

[Wahoo07]

Anyone?

BUMP

 

[AlexRusso]

I bthink its named that b/c thats where the neurovascular structures supplying the upper extremity exit the thoracic cavity. A bit of a technicality.

 

[Idiopathic]

For that matter, couldnt there be more than one thoracic outlet? There are as many outlets/inlets as there are openings, I suppose.

 

[RLMD]

My anatomy professor said the opening at the T1 level can be called the thoracic outlet or the thoracic inlet. The terms are interchangeable.

 

[Wahoo07]

I asked a doc I'm working with over the summer, and he gave me basically the same answer that Alex gave. He said the space is called the thoracic inlet, but since you're compressing an artery, etc. that are leaving, it's called thoracic outlet.

 

[bigfrank]

If semantics are your only concern come test-time, I think you're in good shape.

Like 290 "good shape."