The Rib Cage
A moving cage that guards your engine
Your ribs are a cage of curved bones that guards your heart and lungs like a bird's ribcage protects its wings. But this cage moves â it lifts with every single breath you take.
The rib cage from the front
Real anatomy picture coming soon
Real anatomy photo spot: twelve pairs of ribs curving around to meet the sternum
True, false, floating
You have 12 pairs of ribs. The top 7 pairs are true ribs â they join the sternum (your breastbone) through bars of springy cartilage. The next 3 are false ribs â they join the rib above instead of the sternum. And the bottom 2 pairs are floating ribs â they attach only to your spine at the back, and end free.
The breathing cage
Your rib cage is not stiff. When you breathe in, muscles between your ribs (the intercostals) lift the ribs up and out, making the cage bigger so your lungs can fill. When you breathe out, the ribs swing back down. Put your hands on your ribs and take a deep breath â feel the cage open!
Mr. Bones says: I'm a fictional skeleton, not a doctor! This is for learning and fun. If anything hurts, stop and tell a grown-up you trust.
