How does the thoracic cage assist in breathing?

Muscles between the ribs, called intercostal muscles, contract and relax to move the ribs and change the chest’s volume during breathing. This helps air move into and out of the lungs, so the correct choice is “Muscles in between the ribs can change the shape of the chest during breathing.” The lungs are not directly attached to these muscles, and warming and filtering air are functions of the respiratory passages.

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