Lungs And Rib Cage Stock Photo

Your lungs are organs in your chest that allow your body to take in oxygen from the air. They also help remove carbon dioxide a waste gas that can be toxic from your body. The lungs` intake of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide is called gas exchange. Gas exchange is part of breathing. The ribcage also encloses the thoracic cavity and helps protect the heart and lungs from damage. There are 24 ribs in the human body, divided into two sets of 12 curved, flat bones. Each one is attached by cartilage at the back to the thoracic vertebrae. The remaining pairs of ribs are known as `false ribs`.