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THORAX.-This cone-shaped bony cage is
about as wide as it is deep (fig. 1-20). The thorax is
formed by 12 ribs on each side and
articulates posteriorly with the
thoracic vertebrae. The first set of
ribs are attached to the manubrium, a flat irregular
bone atop the sternum. The first seven pairs
of ribs are called true ribs. The
remaining five pairs are called false
ribs. They are called false ribs because their
cartilages do not reach the sternum directly. The
eighth, ninth, and tenth ribs are united by
their cartilages and joined to the rib
above. The last two rib pairs, also
known as floating ribs, have no
cartilaginous attachments to the sternum. The
sternum is an elongated flat bone, forming
the middle portion of the upper half of
the chest wall in front. The xiphoid
process, located at the inferior aspect of the
sternum, serves as a landmark in the administration of
cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Figure 1-19.-Cervical vertebrae. |
 
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