Definition: Thoracic surgery is the branch of surgery that treats the structures of the chest with the exception of the heart. A thoracic surgeon is trained in the surgical treatment of the esophagus, lungs, chest muscle and the diaphragm muscle. A cardiothoracic surgeon is a thoracic surgeon also trained in surgery performed on the heart.
Also Known As: chest surgery, lung surgery,
Common Misspellings: thorasic,
Examples:
A thoracic surgeon was the best qualified to perform the lung surgery the patient needed.
