rib cage & spine- chapter 3

consist of 12 pairs of thin, flat bones attached to the thoracic vertebrae in the back and to costochondral tissue in the front

seven pairs attached directly to the breastbone (sternum) in the front of the body

five pairs attached to the sternum by cartilage

two pairs of false ribs not attached in the front of the body at all

breastbone

sharp point at the most inferior aspect of the sternum

divided into five regions from the neck to the tailbone

vertebrae is composed of ___ bones

C1

C2

opening in the center of each vertebra where the spinal cord passes