1. The thoracic cage is made up of 24 ribs that form a barrel-like structure protecting the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels of the chest.
2. The ribs are divided into three types - true ribs attach directly to the sternum, false ribs attach indirectly through cartilage, and floating ribs are not attached at all anteriorly.
3. All ribs articulate posteriorly with thoracic vertebrae, while most connect anteriorly directly or indirectly to the sternum. This provides protection to internal organs in the chest.