Rib Cage
Figure 1: Rib Cage Rib cage/Thoracic cage is consists of the Ribs, Costal cartilages, Sternum and the 12 Thoracic vertebrae. The space inside the thoracic cage is conical at the upper end and broader at the lower end and its function is to support the content of the upper abdomen and to assist the respiratory system. It has 12 ribs on both sides and their end at the anterior side is in the form of special cartilage called as costal cartilage and end at the posterior side is called as head of the rib. The Sternum is an elongated bony structure present at the anterior center and consists of three parts- Manubrium, body, and xiphoid process. The manubrium is a wider, the superior portion of the sternum. Clavicles and 1st pair of ribs are attached to the Manubrium. The body is an elongated central part of the sternum and the next 6 ribs pairs are attached to it. The xiphoid process is the inferior tip of the sternum. Rectus abdominal and front fibers of the diaphragm are attached to it...