Video - Bones and joints of the thoracic wall

The bones and joints of the thoracic wall play a vital role in protecting the heart, lungs, and other vital organs. The ribs attach to the spine in the back and flare out to form the rib cage. Ribs attach to the sternum by costal cartilages, which help to hold the ribs in place and absorb shocks. The sternum, or breastbone, is located in the center of the chest and forms the front of the rib cage. The clavicle, or collarbone, attaches the arm to the body and also helps to support the structure of the rib cage. Some of the joints in the chest include the costovertebral joints, the sternoclavicular joint, the sternocostal joints, and the xiphisternal joint.