A study in the journal Heart, Lung and Circulation noted that in the first few months after cardiac surgery, the sternum may move slightly during activities that involve the upper body.

The ribs and rib cage are excellent examples of the human body’s multifaceted and multifunctional ... Costal cartilage anchors them to the edge of the sternum, or breastbone, in the middle ...

The human body has evolved to shield its vital organs, from the brain's hard skull and meninges to the ribs and sternum protecting the heart and lungs. Even abdominal structures are safeguarded by ...