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Which bones make up the rib cage?
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The human rib cage, or thoracic basket, is a semirigid, expansile structure that protects vital organs such as the lungs and heart. It is composed of three primary skeletal components:12
- Thoracic Vertebrae: There are 12 thoracic vertebrae that form the posterior attachment point for the ribs.12
- Ribs: There are 24 ribs (12 pairs) in total. These are categorized based on their attachment to the sternum:12
- True Ribs: The first seven pairs, which attach directly to the sternum via costal cartilages.13
- False Ribs: The 8th, 9th, and 10th pairs, which connect to the cartilage of the rib above them rather than directly to the sternum.13
- Floating Ribs: The 11th and 12th pairs, which do not reach the front of the body and end in the abdominal wall muscle.13
- Sternum: Also known as the breastbone, this elongated bone serves as the anterior attachment point for the true ribs.14