Explain the structure of the following and their functions.
(i) The rib cage
(ii) The skull
(iii) The vertebal column
Answers
Answer:
1)The rib cage- cartilage, ribs, and the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae. The rib cage protects the organs in the thoracic cavity, assists in respiration, and provides support for the upper extremities. ... During column extension, the rib cage migrates anteriorly, and the ribs are elevated.
2) The skull- The skull is a bony structure that supports the face and forms a protective cavity for the brain. It is comprised of many bones, which are formed by intramembranous ossification, and joined by sutures (fibrous joints).
3) The vertebal column- The vertebral column, also known as the spinal column, is the central axis of the skeleton in all vertebrates. The vertebral column provides attachments to muscles, supports the trunk, protects the spinal cord and nerve roots and serves as a site for haemopoiesis.
Answer:
1) The rib cage is the arrangement of ribs attached to the vertebral column and sternum in the thorax of most vertebrates, that encloses and protects the vital organs such as the heart, lungs and great vessels.
2)The human skull is the bony structure that forms the head in the human skeleton. It supports the structures of the face and forms a cavity for the brain. Like the skulls of other vertebrates, it protects the brain from injury.
3)The three main functions of the spine are to:
Protect the spinal cord, nerve roots and several of the body's internal organs.
Provide structural support and balance to maintain an upright posture.
Enable flexible motion.