The Thoracic Cage

The skeleton of the chest known as the bony

thorax or the rib (thoracic) cage supports the

thoracic cavity

The thoracic cage forms the ribs and sternum

The thoracic cage forms a protective cone-

shaped enclosure around the heart and lungs.

It attaches muscles for respiration, are mobile

and can absorb shock.

Ribs (costae) are 12 pairs of long, curved, flat

bones extending from the thoracic vertebrae.

All ribs articulate with the vertebral column.

Ribs are divided into two types True ribs and False

ribs.

Ribs 1–7 (true ribs, 7 pairs of ribs)

Attach directly to the sternum by “their own”

costal cartilages

Ribs 8–12 (false ribs, 5 pairs of ribs)

Ribs 8–10 have indirect cartilage attachments

to the sternum.

Ribs 11–12 Have no connection with the

sternum and are also called floating ribs

The Sternum

The sternum is a flat bone

that resembles a tie. It

consists of 3 parts:

The manubrium: looks like

the knot of the tie &

articulates with the clavicle

(collarbone)

The body: looks like the long

portion of the tie

The xiphoid process: is at

the end of the sternum and

can be easily broken off.

CPR Hand Positions &

The Sternum

CPR hand positioning

(WebMD):

Use your fingers to locate

the end of the person's

breastbone (xiphoid

process), where the ribs

come together.

Place two fingers at the tip

of the breastbone.

Place the heel of the other

hand right above your

fingers, the body of the

sternum, (on the side

closest to the person's

face).