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What Is Thoracic Surgery?
Thoracic surgery is the practice of
medicine directed toward the surgical treatment of diseases
of the chest including cancers of the lung, esophagus,
and chest wall; birth defects of the chest; and tumors
in the organs contained in the chest cavity.
What is the Thorax?
The word thoracic is the adjective
form of the noun "thorax." The word thorax derives
from the Greek and Latin words for breastplate or chest.
The term thorax refers to the area of the human body that
is located between the neck and the abdomen. The thorax
contains the heart, lungs, esophagus and great vessels
surrounded by the breastbone or sternum in front, the
ribs on each side, and the vertebral column in the back.
How Much Training Does a Thoracic Surgeon Receive?
Thoracic surgeons are among the most highly educated specialists.
After college and medical school training, soon-to-be thoracic
surgeons will:
- Devote up to five years to a general
surgical residency
- Devote two to three years to thoracic
surgery residency
- Pass the certifying examination of the
American Board of Thoracic Surgery
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