Barrel chest

The thorax is composed of thoracic sternal ribs and intercostal tissue. There is a chest wall and shoulder muscles inside. There is a pleura in the thorax. The upper thoracic opening is a ring consisting of the upper edge of the sternum and the ribs. The lower mouth to the chest and thorax is closed by the diaphragm. There are only a few holes to communicate with the thorax and abdomen. Some organs pass through the holes through the sides of the normal thorax. The sides of the adult chest are roughly symmetrical. The anteroposterior diameter of children and the elderly is slightly smaller than the transverse diameter. When the ratio of thoracic diameter to anteroposterior diameter is 1: 1, it looks like a "barrel shape", so it is called a "barrel shape." Also known as "emphysema chest." "Barrel chest" is generally caused by too much gas in the lungs, such as emphysema, acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma, and long-term heavy smoking can cause such manifestations. Individual normal people can sometimes "Barrel chests" appear.