UNLV School of Medicine Virtual Anatomy Lab

Thoracic Wall: Page 2 of 5

Add the costal cartilages.
Sternum
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Sternum
Add the sternum.
Identify the components of the sternum:

Note that the costal cartilages below true rib VII all connect to the cartilage above it and not directly to the sternum.

Add the false ribs.

Since false ribs XI and XII do not connect to the ribs above them with cartilage, these are also called floating ribs.
Verify this by rotating the cadaver 180 degrees.
Review the articulation of the ribs with the thoracic vertebral column. This will be further discussed at the demonstation table.