Bones of the thorax Flashcards
What are the bones of the thorax?
sternum, 12 pairs of ribs and their costal cartilage, 12 thoracic vertebae
What are the functions of the bones?
Provide attachment point for muscles of respiration, facilitate movement, protection for vulnerable thorax organs
What does the sternum consist of?
The manubrium (superior), sternal body and xiphoid process
What do the ribs articulate with posteriorly?
The thoracic vertebrae
Where is the head of the rib?
The part of the rib that articulates with the thoracic vertebrae
What do the ribs end in anteriorly?
Costal cartilage
Which are the true ribs?
1-7
Why are they true ribs?
They articulate directly with the sternum via short costal cartilage. Every true rib has its own costal cartilage.
What ribs are false ribs?
8-12
Why are they called false ribs?
Because they articulate indirectly with the sternum via long, shared costal cartilage, or do not articulate at all (11-12)
Which are the floating ribs?
11 and 12. These do not articulate with the sternum at all but still have costal cartilage. they are shorter and pointier.
What are the two types of processes on the vertebrae column?
Transverse and spinous
