The Thoracic Cage

Question 1

What doe the thoracic cage protect?

Answer 1

The heart and the lungs

Question 2

Anteriorly, what is the thoracic cage formed by?

Answer 2

The Sternum

Question 3

Posteriorly, the thoracic cage what?

Answer 3

Includes the twelve thoracic vertebrae

Question 4

What is between the vertebrae and the sternum?

Answer 4

There are twelve pairs of ribs and costal cartilage

Question 5

What is costal cartilage made of?

Answer 5

Hyaline cartilage

Question 6

What is the function of costal cartilage?

Answer 6

I gives the thoracic cage flexibility to change volume during breathing

Question 7

What number are the true ribs?

Answer 7

The first 7 ribs

Question 8

Why are the first 7 Ribs called true ribs?

Answer 8

Because the costal cartilage of these ribs attach directly to the sternum

Question 9

What number ribs are considered false ribs? And why ?

Answer 9

8 to 12. Because they are attached to the sternum indirectly or the ribs lack costal cartilage

Question 10

What number are the floating ribs ? And why

Answer 10

Ribs 11 and 12, because they lack an anterior attachment point altogether