Question

Besides the ribs, which bones protect the lungs and the heart?

Answer 1

Lungs, the respiratory organs located on either side of the space known as mediastinum and heart, the muscular organelles between the lungs in the mediastinum within the thoracic cavity. Both these vital, visceral organs are protected by the skeletal system. Both lungs and the heart are also protected by epithelial membranes called pleura and pericardium, respectively. Two pleurae (visceral and parietal pleura) along with fluid-filled intrapleural space cover the individual lung and pericardium with three layers (fibrous, parietal and visceral pericardium) covering the heart.

Complete answer:
The skeletal system, in association with the muscular system in the human body, helps in protection, blood cell synthesis, support and movement of the body, and reserves ions such as calcium, phosphorus, etc. As mentioned prior it plays an important role in protecting the organ and organ system of the body from stress and trauma. The heart and the lungs in the thoracic cavity are protected by the skeletal system called the thoracic cage or ribcage. This bony cage consists of the sternum or breastbone, vertebral column, and ribs. The sternum lies in the front, twelve pairs of ribs on two sides, and twelve thoracic vertebrae in the back of this protective cage. The sternum is a single, long, flat, bony plate connected to the long, curved bones called rib bones via cartilage. And all ribs articulate posteriorly to the individual twelve thoracic vertebrae, which are the part of the vertebral column between cervical and lumbar vertebrae.

Note:
A rib cage can be described as an osteocartilaginous cage made up of various bones and cartilages. It protects both the vital internal organs of the thoracic and abdominal cavity from external forces. The first seven ribs (true ribs) in the rib cage are directly attached to the sternum by costal cartilage, and the first three of the remaining five ribs (false ribs) have their costal cartilages connected together and attached to the sternum. The last two floating ribs are attached only to vertebrae and not to the sternum.