The bony thorax is commonly known as the

The bony thorax is commonly known as the

• A. Rib cage
• B. Pelvis
• C. Skull
• D. Spine

Answer: (A)

The bony thorax refers to the protective rib cage surrounding the chest organs. It is formed by the ribs, the sternum (breastbone), and the thoracic parts of the spine, and its primary jobs are to shield the heart and lungs and to assist with breathing as the rib cage expands and contracts. Because this framework is mainly made up of the ribs, people commonly call it the rib cage. The pelvis, skull, and spine are different parts of the skeleton—pelvis is the hip region, skull encases the brain, and the spine is the vertebral column—so they don’t name the bony thorax.

The bony thorax refers to the protective rib cage surrounding the chest organs. It is formed by the ribs, the sternum (breastbone), and the thoracic parts of the spine, and its primary jobs are to shield the heart and lungs and to assist with breathing as the rib cage expands and contracts. Because this framework is mainly made up of the ribs, people commonly call it the rib cage. The pelvis, skull, and spine are different parts of the skeleton—pelvis is the hip region, skull encases the brain, and the spine is the vertebral column—so they don’t name the bony thorax.