Rib cage


The structure formed by the thoracic vertebrae and ribs, the sternum (breastbone), and the costal cartilages (that attach the ribs to the sternum).

A cage is an enclosure made of “open work” that usually houses animals. The rib cage was thought to resemble an animal cage (although the largest “animals” it holds are the heart and lungs).

The rib cage is also called the thoracic cage.

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    The lower five ribs do not directly connect to the sternum and are known as false ribs. The upper three false ribs connect to the costal cartilages of the ribs just above them. The last two false ribs, however, usually have no ventral attachment (no anchor at all in front) and are called floating, fluctuating […]

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