The rib cage, also known as the thoracic cage, is the bony structure that shapes and protects the thoracic cavity and the organs in it. It has a conical shape and looks somewhat like a birdcage (hence the name). This part of the axial skeleton is located in …

The rib cage or thoracic cage is an endoskeletal enclosure in the thorax of most vertebrates that comprises the ribs, vertebral column and sternum, which protect the vital organs of the thoracic cavity, such as the heart, lungs and great vessels and support the shoulder girdle to form the core part of the axial skeleton.

Oct 29, 2024 · What is the rib cage? Your rib cage is the cage-like structure of bones that frames your chest cavity (thoracic cavity). It’s also called your thoracic cage. Your 24 ribs (12 on each side) wrap around the sides of your torso from front to back. They connect to your thoracic spine in the back and your sternum (breastbone) in the front.

Mar 17, 2025 · Rib cage, basketlike skeletal structure that forms the chest, or thorax, made up of the ribs and their corresponding attachments to the sternum and the vertebral column. The rib cage surrounds the lungs and the heart, serving as an important means of bony protection for these vital organs.

Mar 30, 2025 · The ribs are a set of twelve paired bones which form the protective ‘cage’ of the thorax. They articulate with the vertebral column posteriorly, and terminate anteriorly as cartilage (known as costal cartilage). As part of the bony thorax, the …

Nov 18, 2022 · The ribs are 12 pairs of curved, flat bones that form the thoracic cage or rib cage, the bony structure that shapes the thoracic cavity and protects various organs. Despite being relatively thin and light, these bones are highly resilient. Ribs are located in the chest.

Jan 27, 2025 · The rib cage is a bony framework in the thoracic region that provides structural support and protection for vital organs such as the heart and lungs. It is composed of 12 pairs of ribs, the sternum (breastbone), and thoracic vertebrae.