The ribs form the main structure of the thoracic cage protecting the thoracic organs, however their main function is to aid respiration.
What does the rib cage protect?
The ribs are connected to the sternum with a strong, somewhat flexible material called cartilage. The rib cage help protects the organs in the chest, such as the heart and lungs, from damage.
Why is my rib cage getting bigger?
If your rib cage is slightly uneven or protruding, it may be due to a muscle weakness. Your abdominal muscles play a large role in holding your rib cage in place. If your muscles on one side of your body are weaker, it may be causing one side of your rib cage to stick out or sit unevenly.
What causes a large rib cage?
Barrel chest occurs when the lungs become chronically overinflated (hyperinflated) with air, forcing the rib cage to stay expanded for long periods of time. Over time, the distention of the rib cage will affect the anterior (forward-facing) chest wall and the posterior (back-facing) wall.
Can you live without ribs?
You’ll be surprised as to how much you could lose and still live. You can still have a fairly normal life without one of your lungs, a kidney, your spleen, appendix, gall bladder, adenoids, tonsils, plus some of your lymph nodes, the fibula bones from each leg and six of your ribs.
Which are the true ribs?
The true ribs are the ribs that directly articulate with the sternum with their costal cartilages; they are the first seven ribs. … However, the floating ribs are the ribs that do not articulate with the sternum at all; they are the distal two ribs. The true ribs articulate with the sternum by the sternocostal joints.