Final answer:
The thoracic cage consists of the sternum, 12 pairs of ribs, thoracic vertebrae, and costal cartilages, protecting vital organs like the heart and lungs and providing structural support.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bones that comprise the thoracic cage, commonly referred to as the ribcage, include the ribs, sternum, thoracic vertebrae, and costal carcartilagehe thoracic cage functions to enclose and protect the heart and lungs. More specifically, it consists of 12 pairs of ribs that are anchored posteriorly to the 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12). The sternum at the front of the cage is composed of three parts: the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process. The first seven pairs of ribs are known as 'true ribs' as they connect directly to the sternum through their costal cartilages. The remaining five pairs are called 'false ribs,' with the last two pairs (11 and 12) termed 'floating ribs' since they do not connect to the sternum at all.