Question

: Which of the bone structures protect the lungs in our body?
A.Rib cage
B.Skull
C.Vertebral column
D.All of the above

Answer 1

Hint:- Lungs are paired, air filled organs located on both sides of the chest above the mediastinum. The air we inhaled goes into the lung through branches of the trachea or windpipe called Bronchi. The Bronchi further divides into bronchioles which eventually ends in numerous air filled sacs called Alveoli. Gaseous exchange and oxygenation of blood occurs at the level of alveoli.

Complete step-by-step solution:-Lungs are the main organ of respiration in humans and various other mammals. Respiration in humans includes breathing of oxygen into the lungs which is used in oxygenation of blood and eventually breathing out of the carbon dioxide. Respiration is considered as the vital process essential for life and lungs is one of the vital organs which is needed to be protected. As lungs are located inside the thoracic cavity, it is surrounded by ribs. Ribs are the set of 12 bones extending from the vertebral column and attached to the sternum in front. These ribs form a bony cage called Rib cage which protects vital thoracic structures including Heart and Lungs. Among 12 pairs of ribs, the top seven pairs connect directly to the sternum and are called True ribs. Next 3 pairs instead of attaching to the sternum, attach to the lower border of true ribs and are called False ribs.
      The last two pairs neither attach to sternum nor to other ribs. They remain floated in the bony cage and that's why they are called Floating Ribs. These ribs protect the lungs and heart from the direct impacting injury.
       Skull is a bony structure present in the head that protects the brain from any outer impacting injury.
The Vertebral column consists of 33 small bones called Vertebrae that protects Spinal cord from external injury. So the correct answer is option (A) Rib Cage.

Note:- : Lungs are covered by two layered membranes called Pleura. It also protects the lungs from the frictional injury due to overinflation or impaired inhalation. Pleura allows proper expansion and contraction of lungs during breathing. Between two pleural layers, there lies pleural fluid which acts as lubricant that allows the two layers of pleura i.e. Parietal pleura and Visceral pleura to slide over each other without friction.