How does the thoracic cage appear during pregnancy?

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Multiple Choice

How does the thoracic cage appear during pregnancy?

Explanation:
During pregnancy the chest often broadens because hormones like relaxin loosen the joints between the ribs and their cartilage, allowing the rib cage to flare outward. The growing uterus also pushes the diaphragm upward, reducing vertical space, so the body compensates by expanding the chest sideways to maintain adequate ventilation. This combination tends to increase chest circumference and give the thoracic cage a wider appearance, though the amount of widening varies between individuals and stages of pregnancy, so it may appear wider.

During pregnancy the chest often broadens because hormones like relaxin loosen the joints between the ribs and their cartilage, allowing the rib cage to flare outward. The growing uterus also pushes the diaphragm upward, reducing vertical space, so the body compensates by expanding the chest sideways to maintain adequate ventilation. This combination tends to increase chest circumference and give the thoracic cage a wider appearance, though the amount of widening varies between individuals and stages of pregnancy, so it may appear wider.

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