How to Pronounce Thoracic Cage
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Thoracic Cage Pronunciation
thoh-RAS-ik kayj
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
thoh
RAS
stress here
ik kayj
3 syllables
What is Thoracic Cage?
The bony and cartilaginous structure forming the chest wall — consisting of 12 pairs of ribs, 12 thoracic vertebrae, the sternum, and costal cartilages. It protects the heart and lungs, and its expansion and contraction drives breathing.
Questions About Thoracic Cage
How do you pronounce 'thoracic cage'?
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Say it like this: thoh-RAS-ik kayj. The first part rhymes with 'no,' the second part sounds like 'RASS' with the stress on that syllable, and 'cage' sounds like the word for an animal enclosure. Put the strongest emphasis on the 'RAS' part in the middle.
What's the stressed syllable in 'thoracic'?
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The stressed syllable is the second one: RAS. A common mistake is stressing the first syllable (THOR-uh-sik), but the correct way is thoh-RAS-ik, with the force of your voice on 'RAS.'
How do you break 'thoracic cage' into syllables?
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Break it like this: tho-RA-sic cage. The first word has three syllables, and 'cage' is just one syllable, so together you're saying four syllables total.
What does 'thoracic' mean in plain English?
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'Thoracic' simply means 'relating to the chest.' So 'thoracic cage' is just another way of saying 'chest cage' — it's the framework that forms your chest wall.
What are the Greek or Latin roots in 'thoracic'?
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'Thoracic' comes from the Greek word 'thorax,' which means chest. The suffix '-ic' means 'relating to,' so 'thoracic' literally means 'relating to the thorax or chest.'
What other medical words use the root 'thorax' or 'thoracic'?
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You'll see 'thorax' used in words like 'thoracotomy' (a surgical opening in the chest) and 'thoracic vertebrae' (the bones in your mid-back). All of these words are talking about the chest area.
What is the 'cage' part of 'thoracic cage'?
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'Cage' is a regular English word meaning an enclosed structure with an opening — just like a cage for a bird. In this case, it describes how your ribs, bones, and cartilage form a protective cage-like structure around your heart and lungs.
Can you use 'thoracic cage' in a sentence?
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Here's an example: 'The thoracic cage is made up of ribs, vertebrae, and the breastbone.' Or: 'When you breathe in, your thoracic cage expands to make room for your lungs to fill with air.'