By: Julia Aidan
Submitted: 2010-05-05 22:35:16 | Word Count: 553
The shape and support to the entire body is provided by the skeletal system. Numerous internal organs are safeguarded by hard substances, named as bones. As bones are made up of calcium and other minerals, these are hard structures offering protection to the internal organs of the body. Not only these give security, but bones provide suitable shape to the human body as well as provides power. The main organs like heart and lungs are protected by the chest bones. Chest, the medical term for it is thorax, includes twenty-five bones. The chest bones are of two main types, the sternum and the ribs.
The Sternum
[ advertisement ]
The sternum is T shaped, an extended and flat bone that is at the middle of the thorax, above 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 is located exactly in between the chest and acts as a supports of both the sets of ribs. Whilst in the progression stage of sternum, it is split into 3 parts. These three portions are called sternebra. The sternum is around 17 centimetres in size.
The sternum is connected to all the ribs through cartilage. Sternum protects the most vital and fine body organs for example, heart, lungs and also the blood vessels, from any kind of exterior or bodily damage. It is generally made up of vascular tissue. However, a rather thin covering of the bone covers this vascular tissue. The thickest part of sternum is manubrium.
The Ribs
There are twenty-four ribs in a human body. These 24 ribs form two sets on both sides of the chest. The rib bones make a cage like design and therefore termed as ribcage. Ribcage not only surrounds the chest but also protects it. Even the ribcage protect the vital body organs and important blood vessels in the chest cavity. Whilst inhaling and exhaling, the rib cage shrinks and stretches with the pair of lungs that assists you to breathe pleasantly.
The seven ribs from the twelve are called the "true ribs". These are named so, since these ribs are directly connected to sternum. Coastal cartilage is the cartilage that connects the sternum and true ribs together. It provides suppleness to the rib cage and as well facilitates in moving along the ribs. The other five ribs are named false ribs and 3 ribs from these five are connected to sternum via cartilage. As the last two ribs are not connected to the sternum, these are called floating ribs. These floating ribs are eleventh and 12th ribs that are even called vertebral ribs.
There is inflammation in the coastal cartilage. These are mostly adaptive. 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 agonizing and the warning signs lead to damaged rib, lungs are weakened or especially a person struggling with this issue can encounter a severe heart stroke. If you feel pain in chest, you need to consult the doctor immediately so as to prevent major problem.
Author Resource:-
Know the importance of Chest bones and learn about Chest bone at learnbones.com
