Rib cage

The thorax is part of the external respiratory apparatus. It performs a basic, motor, protective function.

Rib cage. Structure

This region is represented by a structure that has a bone-cartilaginous skeleton. There pass the lymphatic and blood vessels, the corresponding muscles of the skeleton, other soft tissues, nerve fibers.

The bone-cartilaginous skeleton consists of twelve thoracic vertebrae, twelve rib pairs and sternum. They are articulated among themselves through various kinds of compounds.

In the cavity of the structure are internal organs: the lungs, the lower respiratory tract, esophagus, heart and others.

The thorax is represented in the form of an irregular cone, the vertex of which is cut off. It defines four walls. The anterior one is formed by the costal cartilages and the sternum, the posterior by the posterior edges of the ribs and the thoracic vertebrae. Lateral (lateral) walls are formed by ribs, which are separated by intercostal spaces (intercostal spaces).

The thorax has an upper aperture (orifice) bounded by the first thoracic vertebra, the upper end of the sternum handle with the jugular notch on it and the inner ends of the first ribs. The hole is tilted anteriorly. The leading edge of the aperture is lowered downwards in the direction of the location of the ribs. Thus, the jugular notch in the sternum is between the second and third thoracic vertebrae at the level of the intervertebral disc.

Through the upper opening pass the blood vessels, esophagus, nerve fibers, trachea.

The lower opening is limited by the body of the twelfth thoracic vertebra from behind, the sternum xiphoid process in front and the lower ribs along the sides. Its size is much larger than the size of the upper aperture.

The junction of the seventh to tenth rib pair forms an anterolateral margin (costal arch). The left and right costal arches from the sides limit the subhorbid angle open to the bottom. At its apex, located at the level of the ninth thoracic vertebra, is the xiphoid process.

A diaphragm with an opening for the passage of the esophagus, the aorta, the lower vein, closes the lower aperture.

From the thoracic vertebrae on the sides are pulmonary furrows. In them, the posterior regions of the lungs adhere to the walls of the chest.

Flexible costal arches give elasticity and great strength to the entire structure.

The thorax can have a different shape and size.

Movement of the whole structure is conditioned by the processes of exhalation and inspiration (respiratory movements). In view of the fact that the front ends of the ribs are connected to the sternum, the inspiration is accompanied by movement of both the sternum and the ribs. Their elevation leads to an increase in the anteroposterior (sagittal) and transverse cell size, the expansion of intercostal spaces (intercostal spaces). All these factors explain the increase in the volume of the cavity.

Exhalation is accompanied by the lowering of the sternum and the ends of the ribs, a significant decrease in anteroposterior size, narrowing of the intercostal spaces. All this leads to a decrease in the volume of the cavity.

Deformation of the chest

This phenomenon is common in children. The most common are two types of deformation: funnel-shaped and chicken breasts.

In the first case, the condition is due to abnormal sternal sinking of the sternum. Chicken breast - this is when the chest is sticking out. It should be noted that this type of deformation is rarely detected in practice.

Anomalies of the structure, of course, affect the health of the child. With bulging chest often develops emphysema (chronic lung disease, manifested by a violation in breathing).

As practice shows, in most cases, with this type of deformation, surgical intervention is necessary.