The lungs are located in the thoracic cavity, also known as the chest cavity. This space is enclosed by the ribs, sternum (breastbone), thoracic vertebrae (spine), and diaphragm.
Understanding the Thoracic Cavity
The thoracic cavity isn't just home to the lungs; it also houses the heart and other vital organs and tissues. Several sources confirm this location:
- Cleveland Clinic: States that the thoracic cavity contains the heart, lungs, and other organs and tissues. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24748-thoracic-cavity
- Cleveland Clinic (Lungs): Explicitly mentions that the lungs are located in the chest (thorax), which is the thoracic cavity. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/8960-lungs
- StatPearls (Anatomy): Reinforces that the lungs reside within the thoracic cavity, separated from the thoracic wall by the pleurae (membranes). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541079/
- StatPearls (Histology): Describes the lungs as a pair of respiratory organs present in the thoracic cavity alongside the mediastinum. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534789/
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Notes that lung cancers, being located in the lungs, are found within the chest cavity alongside the heart and major blood vessels. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/lung-cancer/lung-cancer-types
The term "lung cavity" used in some medical contexts (e.g., cavitary lung lesions) refers to abnormal air-filled spaces within the lung tissue itself, not the thoracic cavity. This distinction is important to avoid confusion.
