What is the skeletal structure that protects the heart, lungs, and internal organs?

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The correct answer is the thorax. The thorax, which is also referred to as the chest area, consists of the rib cage, sternum, and thoracic vertebrae. It plays a critical role in protecting vital organs such as the heart and lungs, which are essential for circulation and respiration. The structure of the thorax provides a bony cage that shields these organs from physical trauma, while also allowing for the necessary expansion and contraction during breathing.

The pelvis primarily supports the weight of the upper body and protects the organs in the lower abdomen but does not provide protection for the heart and lungs. The cervical spine, which consists of the vertebrae in the neck, is primarily involved in supporting the head and protecting the spinal cord in that region, with no direct role in the protection of the thoracic organs. The scapula, commonly known as the shoulder blade, is part of the skeletal structure that helps with arm movement and stability, but it does not offer significant protection to the internal organs located in the thorax.

Thus, the thorax serves as the key skeletal structure for the protection of the heart, lungs, and internal organs, making it the correct answer to this question.

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