Final answer:
Pneumothorax and tension pneumothorax are injuries that can happen to the lungs. The thoracic cage, which consists of ribs and sternum, encloses and protects the organs of the thoracic cavity, including the heart and lungs. If there is a puncture or rupture in the lung tissue, air can enter the pleural cavity, leading to pneumothorax and tension pneumothorax.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pneumothorax and tension pneumothorax are injuries that can happen to the lungs.
The thoracic cage, also known as the ribcage, encloses and protects the organs of the thoracic cavity, including the heart and lungs. It consists of the 12 pairs of ribs with their costal cartilages and the sternum. The ribs are anchored posteriorly to the 12 thoracic vertebrae. Changes in the volume of the thorax enable breathing.
Example: If there is a puncture or rupture in the lung tissue, air can enter the pleural cavity, leading to pneumothorax. In a tension pneumothorax, air accumulates in the pleural cavity and cannot escape, causing pressure to build up and compress the lung tissues further.