Question

What Is the difference between Male and Female Rib Cage?

Answer 1

Hint: The rib cage is a structure that comprises of ribs that are attached to the vertebral column and sternum in the thorax region of several vertebrates that enclose and protect vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and large vessels. In the case of humans, the rib cage and the sternum, collectively known as the thoracic cage, encloses the thoracic cavity and helps to support the shoulder girdle to form an integral part of the human skeletal structure.

Complete answer:
While comparing the rib cages of males and females, the ribs in females grow longer than males in relation to the axial skeleton. The number of ribs is the same in both males and females. While the female thorax is narrower, the male thorax is broader. Women have much more breast tissue compared to men, but in fact men have larger chests, both in terms of circumference and overall depth. The important point is that the male rib cage is broader and deeper than the female rib cage.

Note:
As a whole, the rib cage comprises 12 thoracic vertebrae and 24 ribs, along with the sternum. With each subsequent rib, from the first, or the topmost, the rib cage opens more. The ribs are semi-rigid and expansile, with the ability to increase in size. The small joints in between the ribs and the vertebrae helps to achieve a gliding movement of the ribs in the vertebrae during respiration and other activities. The first seven ribs are called true ribs which are attached to the sternum, while the last five are called false ribs in which the last two are floating ribs.