Rib Cage 3/3/14

Kaylee Hennessey
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.