rib cage
Heart's bony enclosure
The rib cage is the bony structure formed by the ribs, sternum, and spine that surrounds and protects the heart and lungs.
It expands and contracts with breathing.
In figurative use, the rib cage represents the chest's interior: My heart pounded against my rib cage.
Flat chest bone
- thoraxCentral body cavity
- intercostalBetween the ribs
- diaphragmMuscle separating chest, abdomen
- cartilageFlexible connective body tissue
vertebrae · thoracic · costal · xiphoid · manubrium · pectoralis · serratus · pleura
Handheld defensive armor
- armorProtective combat covering
- encasementProtective outer shell
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
safeguard · vital organs · natural armor · defensive structure
sternum
Flat chest bone
- thoraxCentral body cavity
- intercostalBetween the ribs
- diaphragmMuscle separating chest, abdomen
cartilage · vertebrae · thoracic · costal · xiphoid · manubrium · pectoralis · serratus · pleura · mediastinum
shield
Handheld defensive armor
- armorProtective combat covering
- encasementProtective outer shell
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
guardian · safeguard · vital organs · natural armor · defensive structure
rib cageskull
Head's bone casing
cranium · pelvis · pelvic girdle · spine · vertebral column
rib cagelimbs
Body's major appendages
arms and legs · extremities · hands · feet
cage, rib, ribs, caged, ribbing, ribbed, cages, uncaged, cager