Thoracic inlet

The thoracic inlet, also known as the superior thoracic aperture, refers to the opening at the top of the thoracic cavity. It is also clinically referred to as the thoracic outlet, in the case of thoracic outlet syndrome; this refers to the superior thoracic aperture, and not to the lower, larger opening, the inferior thoracic aperture.

see Thoracic inlet angle.

The thoracic inlet (TI) forms the cervicothoracic junction, which is a fixed bony circle composed of the structures of the first ribs on both sides, T 1 vertebral body, and the upper part of the sternum; while the TI consists of 3 important sagittal parameters: thoracic inlet angle (TIA), T1 slope, and neck tilt ¹⁾.