Thoracic Skeleton

In this lesson you will be learning about the ribs and sternum.

Begin by clicking on the following to orient the dissector:

Anterior Thoracic Skeleton

Slide your cursor over the sternum. Notice that there are 3 parts. Identify the following:

Manubrium

Body

Xiphoid process

Move your cursor just lateral to the sternum and identify the right and left costal cartilages. These cartilages form joints with the sternum called the costosternal joints.

Mover your cursor lateral to the costal cartilages and identify the ribs. You will notice that the ribs are numbered and are identified as true or false. The difference between true and false ribs is the way they connect to the sternum. True ribs make a direct connection to the sternum. False ribs have an indirect connection. The cartilage of false ribs connects to the cartilage of true ribs. The last 2 ribs or ribs 11-12 are actually labeled as a false ribs but can also be called a floating ribs. These ribs have no anterior connection. Keep in mind the number of true, false and floating ribs vary with the individual.

Rotate the rib cage 90 degrees to the right. Notice the steep inferior angle to the ribs.

Rotate the rib cage another 90 degrees to the right. Notice their connection to the thoracic vertebra. These vertebra have flat spots on them called articulating facets where the ribs attach. Some of these facets appear on the body of thoracic vertebra.

This concludes the lab.