Here an assessment is made of the development and possible deformation of the thorax and thoracic vertebrae.
Examples of abnormalities in the shape of the thorax:
- severe kyphoscoliosis of the vertebral column can lead to cor pulmonale (right-sided congestive heart failure)
- pectus excavatum (hollowed chest or funnel chest) and pectus carinatum (pigeon chest) can be associated with heart valve abnormalities (in particular mitral valve prolapse) and cardiac arrhythmias.