Thoracic cage skeleton

Question

What is the important skeleton of the thoracic cage for the human body?

Answer 1

First of all, it does not make sense to ask “what is the important skeleton of the thoracic cage” as the skeleton consists of all of the bones, so the thoracic cage is a component of the skeleton, rather than visa versa. Components of the thoracic cage consist of 12 pair of ribs and the costal cartilages. Each rib is attached posteriorly to one of 12 thoracic vertebrae. Ribs 1-7, the “true ribs” wrap around the thoracic cavity and articulate with an anterior bone structure called the sternum, which looks a little like a necktie and consists of three parts: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process. Ribs 8-12 are known as false ribs. 

Answer 2

 The principal function of the thoracic cage skeleton is with the help of respiratory muscles to increase the volume of the thoracic cage, which results in decreased pressure in pleural cavities, and entering surrounding air through the nasal cavities to the upper and lower respiratory tracts and lungs. Another main task of the thoracic cage skeleton is to protect the vital structures within it (e.g. heart, lungs, large vessels such as aorta, etc). Moreover, the bony structure of the cage allows it to be an attachment point for many muscles of the upper part of the body and to support the weight of the upper limbs.