The Ribs and Breast Bone (Sternum)

There are twelve pairs of ribs which are attached to the corresponding vertebrae at the back. The first seven pairs of these ribs are attached to the breastbone in front, eighth, ninth and tenth ribs are attached to the rib above, and last two pairs of ribs, i.e. eleventh and twelveth, have no attachment in front and are known as “floating ribs”. The ribs and breast bone are liable to be fractured in accidents due to either direct or indirect causes. An injury of the rib should be taken seriously and requires urgent hospitalisation.

The Upper Limbs and Shoulder

The bones are (a) the collar bone (clavicle) one on each side between upper part of the breast bone on the front and shoulder blade and (b) the shoulder blade (scapula). The clavicle is a very brittle bone and is the common site of fracture. Its function is to keep away the upper limbs from the chest.

Shoulder Blade (Scapula)

One on either side in the upper and outer part on the back of the chest.

The bones of the upper limbs are:

a) Upper arm bone (humerous)
b) Forearm bones. There are two bones.

i) Radius (Outer side of forearm)
ii) Ulna (Inner side of forearm)

(The joint between upper-arm and forearm is called elbow joint)

There are 8 carpal bones at the wrist and five metacarpal bones in the palm of the hand. There are 3 small bones in each finger called phalange and 2 bones for each thumb.

The Backbone or Spine (Vertebral Column)

It consists of thirty three small rounded pieces of bones, each called a vertebra, placed one above the other:

7 in the Neck Region (Cervical)
12 in the Back Region (Throcic or Dorsal)
5 in the Waist Region (Lumbar)
5 in the Hip Region (Sacral)
4 in the Tail Region (Coccygial)

In between each pair of vertebrae there is a thick piece of Cartilage, called “Disc” which allows movement as well as acts as a shock absorber. There is a central canal through which the spinal cord passes and carrier nerve impulses to and from the brain.

If there is any injury, one vertebra may be displaced over an other, thus the spinal cord is pressed or cut causing paralysis, due to interruption in the pathway of nerves.

This damage may occur immediately at the time of injury or may be caused by careless handling after the accident. It is, therefore, extremely important to handle with care all persons who have suffered severe injury to their back or neck.