Final answer:
The heart and lungs are protected by the thoracic cage and pleura, which provide a bony framework and membranous cushioning, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The heart and the lungs are surrounded and protected by the thoracic cage, which includes the rib bones, intercostal muscles, and other components such as the sternum. The pleura plays a crucial role in protecting the lungs; this serous membrane envelops the lungs with its two layers - the visceral pleura and the parietal pleura - which are separated by the pleural cavity.
Additionally, the bones of our body, like the ribs and the spine, provide protection to our internal organs from injury. The thoracic cage in particular safeguards the heart and lungs from physical harm.