Question

In man the thoracic basket is composed of
A. Ribs and thoracic vertebrae
B. Ribs and sternum
C. Ribs, sternum and vertebrae
D. Ribs, sternum and thoracic vertebrae

Answer 1

Hint: The thoracic basket consists of the skeletal components of the thorax or the chest. It is basket-shaped and thus the name. The main function of this thoracic cage is protecting the underlying viscera in the thorax. The thorax occupies the chest cavity and involves the organs: the heart and the two lungs.

Complete answer:
The thoracic basket is a bony, cage-like structure. Anteriorly, the thoracic basket consists of the ribs and the sternum. The sternum is a flat bone that forms the anterior-most part of the rib cage. It is also known as the breastbone. The ribs are attached to the sternum anteriorly. There are 12 ribs in total 7 of which are true ribs. The 8th, 9th, and 10th ribs are called false ribs as they are not directly attached to the sternum. They are attached to the 7th rib above which in turn is attached to the sternum. The 11th and the 12th ribs are known as floating ribs. They have not attached anteriorly.
Posteriorly, the thoracic basket consists of the thoracic vertebrae. The thoracic vertebrae are 12 in number. The ribs are attached to the vertebrae posteriorly. The thoracic vertebrae have a heart-shaped body typically and a spinous process that is directed backward and downward.

So, the correct answer is option D.

Note:
The sternum is divided into three parts – the manubrium, the body, and the xiphisternum. The ribs are classified as typical and atypical. The typical ribs are 1,2,10,11, and 12. The rest of the ribs are known as atypical ribs. The typical ribs are described as angulated and curved.