Question

Name the body structure concerned with the given functional activity.
Protects the lungs from mechanical injuries

Answer 1

Lungs are the delicate organ that helps in the respiration process which leads to purification of inhaled air. All delicate organs in our body lie inside the bony structure which gives them protection and surface area for muscle attachment.

Complete Answer:
Ribs, sternum, and vertebrae in our body protect the lungs from mechanical energy.
In our body, some bone helps in the protection of delicate organs like the skull protects the brain, ribs protect the lungs, heart, and a small part of the abdomen.
The bone which protects the ribs is also known as chest bone, rib cage is strong and flexible bones extend from the spinal cord and are connected with the sternum. There are 12 pairs of ribs present in which the first seven ribs are true ribs attached with thoracic vertebrae, the next three pairs are false ribs that do not articulate with sternum and fused with seventh ribs, and the last two pairs are floating ribs which are not connected with vertebrae. The sternum is the flat bone present in the midline of the thorax, sternum is also known as breast bone which gives attachment to ribs. The scapula is the shoulder bone that is flat and triangular in shape also gives protection to internal organs.

Additional information:
The vertebral column is a curved backbone lies in the mid-dorsal line of the neck and trunk. It articulates with the skull, pectoral girdle, pelvic girdle, and ribs. Vertebrae are of four types cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal. Not only vertebrae provide protection to lungs with ribs attachment but vertebrae also provide protection to the spinal cord and the intervertebral disc between vertebrae gives axial flexibility to the body.

Note: In case of accidents generally floating bones get fracture which leads to serious impact on the chest part because ribs bone takes time for healing and also causes difficulty in breathing. Diaphragm and ribs bone provide space for lung expansion while inhalation.