Final answer:
The pliability of the pediatric rib cage is important for breathing as it allows the thoracic cage to expand during inspiration, facilitated by the flexibility provided by the costal cartilages and ongoing growth processes during childhood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pliability of the pediatric rib cage is significant as it relates to the thoracic cage's ability to protect and enable proper functioning of the organs within the thoracic cavity, particularly during the breathing process. The thoracic cage includes the ribs, sternum, thoracic vertebrae, and costal cartilages. In children, the thoracic cage is more pliable due to the presence of hyaline cartilage in the costal cartilages and the ongoing process of endochondral ossification, which allows for growth and flexibility. The costal cartilage is a hyaline cartilage structure attached to the anterior end of each rib, providing direct or indirect attachment to the sternum and is instrumental in enabling the thoracic cage's growth during childhood and adolescence. As a result, this pliability is essential for breathing since during inspiration, the thoracic cavity must expand, which is facilitated by the flexibility of the pediatric rib cage.