The Thoracic Cage
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).