the thoracic spine works with the ribs to create a protected space—your rib cage—for the lungs, heart, and other organs. The first 10 ribs also connect to the sternum in front to close most of ...

The thoracic cage (or rib cage) has the critical mission of protecting the heart and lungs ... Because of the rib anatomy, most fractures occur in ribs 7 through 10. Floating rib symptoms may ...