Chest Bones In A Human Body

By Author: Jamie Hanson
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The shape and support to the entire body is provided by the skeletal system. Multiple bodily organs are safeguarded by hard substances, medically known as bones. Bones contain calcium and are quite hard that provide protection to the delicate organs in the body. Not just these offer cover, but bones provide correct shape to the human body and provides strength. The main organs like heart and lungs are protected by the chest bones. Chest, the scientific term for it is thorax, consists of twenty five bones. The sternum and the ribs are the two main types of chest bones.

The Sternum

The sternum is T shaped, rather long and flat bone which is at the center of the thorax, on top of the heart and middle-chest (mediastinum). It consists of three main parts. The Manubrium, the gladiolus and the xiphoid process form the three parts of sternum. The sternum provides support to the two sets of ribs and is located exactly in the middle of the chest. Whilst in the growth phase of sternum, it is separated into three sections. These three portions are called sternebra. The sternum is close to 17 cm in size.

The sternum ...
... is connected to all the ribs through cartilage. Sternum shields the highly critical and fine body organs such as heart, lungs plus the blood vessels, from any type of exterior or physical injury. It is generally made up of vascular tissue. However, a really thin layer of the bone covers this vascular tissue. The manubrium is the thickest portion of the sternum.

The Ribs

There are twenty four ribs in a body. There are 12 ribs each on either side of the chest. The rib bones form a cage like shape and hence called as ribcage. Ribcage not only surrounds the chest but also protects it. The delicate and the most essential organs of the body as well as the blood vessels are protected by the ribcage. While breathing, the rib cage contracts and grows with the pair of lungs which aids to breathe normally.

From the twelve ribs, seven are called "true ribs". These are named so, since these ribs are straight joined to sternum. The cartilage that connects the true ribs to the sternum is called coastal cartilage. It offers suppleness to the rib cage and as well facilitates in moving the ribs. The rest 5 ribs are often called false ribs and three ribs from these 5 are joined to sternum with cartilage. As the last two ribs are not connected to the sternum, these are called floating ribs. These floating ribs are eleventh and twelfth ribs which are also named vertebral ribs.

There is inflammation in the coastal cartilage. These are partly supple. If there is some sort of disturbance in the chest, the coastal cartilage can be severely damaged. This inflammation in the coastal cartilage is called as Costochondritis. It is quite hurting and the indications cause broken rib, lungs are impaired or even an individual enduring this problem can encounter a serious heart stroke. However, one should contact the doctor immediately if there is any kind of pain in the chest.

Know the importance of Chest bones and learn about Chest bone at learnbones.com