You have very important and delicate organs that are essential for you to live. These organs, like your heart, lungs and liver, must be protected from harm. And so, they are…in a cage, your rib cage, that is.
Your rib cage is made up of your ribs, your sternum and twelve of your vertebrae. The first seven sets of ribs connect your vertebrae to your sternum by cartilage. This type of rib is called a true rib.
The next three sets of ribs are attached to your vertebrae, but do not connect to the sternum. Instead, cartilage connects these ribs to the last true rib. Because of this, these ribs are called false ribs.
The last two sets of ribs only connect to your vertebrae in back. They don’t connect to anything in front! These ribs are called floating ribs.
When you breathe in, your muscles raise and expand your rib cage, allowing your lungs to fill with air. Without this action, you would never be able to take a deep breath because there would not be enough space for your lungs to expand inside your rib cage.
Breathe deep and rest assured, you are Fearfully and Wonderfully made!
-By Steven McFie
