5 March 2014
Period A
Rib Cage
Medical Art Studio
2011
Summary of the Article
The rib cage is located in the center of the body and is part of the axial skeleton. It has three major functions:
- protection
- support
- respiration
It encloses and protects the heart and lungs. The rib cage also provides support for the back and vertebral column, as well as other bones like the shoulder girdle. It expands and contracts with respiration, due to the fact that it attaches to the diaphragm.
Bones of the Rib Cage
- sternum
flat bone made of the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process
- 12 thoracic cavities
thoracic vertebrae T1-T12.
- 12 pairs of ribs
bones 1-7 are attached to the sternum and are called "true ribs". 8-10 are false ribs, and 11 and 12 are floating ribs.
