What is the purpose of the sternum and rib cage?

Answer 1

The sternum, also known as the breast bone, is the bone at the front of the body joined to the ribs.

It provides support for the body and protects the heart, lungs and other internal organs.

Answer 2

In the way you asked this question, it makes it a bit difficult to answer, considering that every bone, muscle, organ, etc. has a specific place within the body. Each have a specific purpose and shape, and no other body part can replace another body part (except some blood vessels; skin; and some muscle fibers).

For example, imagine if we had a knee-cap in the middle of the chest instead of the sternum! It would look rather odd, huh? Plus, it wouldn't give the protection or serve the same function as the sternum.

Now, if your wanted to know what the function is of a sternum, that is a more precise question. The entire ribcage protects the heart and lungs. At the lower edges, tucked under the ribs, the liver, spleen, part of the stomach, and pancreas, and gallbladder are somewhat sheltered by the chest's bony structure. Directly in the center, the breastbone and sterum protect the esophagus and windpipe or main bronchi. The front bone or sternum is where each rib attaches via muscles and nerves (and at the spinal column in the back). While ribs can be broken with very hard impact, it is much more difficult to break the sternum.

As another example, the kneecap protects the structures inside the knee, including blood vessels, tissue, ligaments, tendons. Because of it's structure we can bend the knee toward the back, drawing our heel to our rear, or pull the knee to our chest. But the kneecap (like the elbow) allow only one diection of flexion; we can't hyperextend the knee joint to put our foot "forward" and rest our toes on our thigh or lap.

So, every bone and joint has a specific function within the body.

Answer 3

The sternum protects the fundamental area right above your heart and lungs. It is a long flat bony plate that links the rib bones through the cartilage forming the anterior part of the rib cage.

Answer 4

The main purpose of the sternum is to protect the lungs, heart, and major blood vessels from trauma. It also is what connects the rib bones to the cartilage.