The thoracic cage consists of 12 pairs of ribs and the sternum. There are three types of ribs: true ribs articulate directly with the sternum, false ribs connect to the seventh rib, and floating ribs do not connect to the sternum. The sternum is made up of the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process and protects the heart and lungs.

1. THE THORACIC CAGE

2. The axial skeleton vs the
appendicular skeleton
•The human skeleton
is divided into 2
categories; the axial
skeleton and the
appendicular
skeleton.

3. The axial skeleton
• The axial skeleton forms the long axis
of your body. The axial skeleton is
divided into 3 categories;
1) the skull
2) the vertebral column
3) the thoracic cage

4. The Skeleton
• The function of the axial skeleton is to support the head, neck, and
trunk, and to protect the brain, spinal cord, and the thoracic organs.
• The bones of the appendicular skeleton make up the rest of the skeleton, and
are so called because they are appendages of the axial skeleton.
• The appendicular skeleton includes the bones of the shoulder girdle, the
upper limbs, the pelvic girdle, and the lower limbs.
• The appendicular skeleton has 126 bones.
• The axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton make up the 206 named
bones of your body! ​

5. THE ANATOMY OF THE
THORACIC (RIB) CAGE
• The thoracic cage consists of the
rib cage, and the sternum.
• 12 pairs of ribs (along with their
associated costal cartilages) and
the sternum.
• ​The function of the thoracic
cage is to support and
protect the vital organs of
the thorax.

6. The thoracic cage
• The thoracic cage of most
humans contains 12 total
pairs of ribs.
• The ribs are numbered
beginning with the 1st ribs
being the superior-most
pair of ribs, and proceeding
inferiorly, with the 12th pair
of ribs being the most
inferior ribs.
•

7. Types of Ribs
• The ribs are categories according to how
they articulate with the sternum through
the costal cartilage.
• True Ribs - The first 7 pairs of ribs are
called the "true ribs", because they
articulate directly to the sternum
through costal cartilage.

8. Types of Ribs
• False Ribs - The false ribs are
the 8th, 9th, and 10th pairs of
ribs.
• These do not directly connect
to the sternum, but they
attach to the 7th pair of ribs.

9. Types of Ribs
• ​Floating Ribs - Are the 11th
and 12th pairs of ribs that do
not articulate with the
sternum.

10. COSTAL CARTILAGE
• The ribs are connected to the sternum through the costal
cartilage.
• There are 7 sections of costal cartilage on each side for the
superior 7 ribs.

11. False Ribs
• Unlike the "true ribs" which articulate directly to the
sternum through the costal cartilage.
• The "false ribs" do not articulate directly to the sternum
through costal cartilage.
• Instead, the "false ribs" connect to the 7th ribs through
cartilage.
• The false ribs are the 8th, 9th, and 10th pairs of ribs.

12. Floating Ribs
• The 11th and 12th pairs of
ribs are called "floating ribs".
• These floating ribs do not
articulate with the sternum
and are only about half the
size of the other ribs.
• Also, the floating ribs do not
wrap around to the anterior
portion of the body like the
other ribs do.
• The floating ribs do articulate
with the vertebrae.

13. The Sternum
•The sternum articulates with
the superior 7 ribs through
the costal cartilage.

14. The Sternum – The Manubrium
•The manubrium part of the
sternum articulates with the 1st
rib, the clavicles (collar bones).

15. The Sternum – jugular notch
• The manubrium has an indentation
at the superior end called the jugular
notch (also called the suprasternal
notch) which lies over the trachea
(windpipe).

16. STERNUM - Jugular
Notch (Suprasternal
Notch)
• The jugular notch is clinically used
to quickly diagnose intrathoracic
pressure.
• The procedure involves
placing either the index or
middle finger at the
indentation point of the
jugular notch and feeling for
the patient's pulse.
• The pulse is only felt at the
jugular notch when a patient
is experiencing an increase in
intrathoracic pressure.

17. STERNUM - Jugular Notch
(Suprasternal Notch)
• The jugular notch is clinically
used to quickly diagnose
intrathoracic pressure.
• The procedure involves placing
either the index or middle
finger at the indentation point
of the jugular notch and feeling
for the patient's pulse.
• The pulse is only felt at the
jugular notch when a patient is
experiencing an increase in
intrathoracic pressure.

18. STERNUM - Jugular Notch
(Suprasternal Notch)
If a prominent pulse is felt, the patient should undergo
additional tests to rule out the following illnesses:
• Hypertension
• Aneurysm
• Atherosclerosis

19. STERNUM - Jugular Notch
(Suprasternal Notch)
• The Jugular Notch is a vulnerable spot that if struck directly
with a finger strike (such as that used in martial arts, known
as “two-finger strike”).
• This technique jams the windpipe and can lead to
unconsciousness or choking.

20. STERNUM – Body of
the sternum
• The body of the sternum is
the largest part of the
sternum.
• The body of the sternum
articulates with the 2nd,
3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th ribs
through the costal cartilage.

21. STERNUM - Xiphoid
Process
• The xiphoid process covers the solar plexus
which is a bundle of nerves.
• The xiphoid process is at significant risk of
being broken off during CPR chest
compressions or other similar force.
• When the xiphoid process breaks off, the
diaphragm or liver can be cut leading to
internal bleeding.