Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

As you may know, part of the process of becoming a space marine is to have your ribcage fused into a solid mass of bone, this would mean they couldn't bend over properly so why?!

Actually, I think they can bend over properly due to their increased spine. The fusing also makes their ribs bulletproof.

Its less a solid mass, and more like slats on a venetian blind. They lie over one another, allowing movement, while still leaving no gaps, sort of like scale mail, I would imagine.

The bones overlap and interlace, it isn't one solid mass.

Because the people who thought of the idea didn't do Biology.

Durza wrote:Because the people who thought of the idea didn't do Biology.

I do biology.
We learn bugger all about bones...

Because it's 40k. And 40k doesn't make sense.

Ha, I never thought about that before!

So that it is harder to shoot a bullet or push a pointy object into their important, squishy organs behind it.

Cause being able to breathe is for chumps? Most bullets wouldn't be stopped by it I think; autogun and slugga probably but not much else.

n0t_u wrote:Cause being able to breathe is for chumps? Most bullets wouldn't be stopped by it I think; autogun and slugga probably but not much else.

Actually Slugga is strength 4 AP 5 same as a Boltgun.

n0t_u wrote:Cause being able to breathe is for chumps? Most bullets wouldn't be stopped by it I think; autogun and slugga probably but not much else.

Not direct shots, but it would certainly help to deflect more glancing hits

And that's assuming the round can get through the power armour in the first place

I think Randomonioum above got it, that would make sense. As to why it was orginally descibed as solid? Because, as said above, it's 40k, and 40k's writers are definitely not very sciency

Breathing is made possible through GRIMDARK!

TedNugent wrote:

n0t_u wrote:Cause being able to breathe is for chumps? Most bullets wouldn't be stopped by it I think; autogun and slugga probably but not much else.

Actually Slugga is strength 4 AP 5 same as a Boltgun.

No it's not, it's AP6.

So, its a knockoff bolter with terrible penetration? Also, just grabbed a quote that it sounds like you paraphrased, "...and the rib cage will have been fused into a solid mass of bulletproof, interlocking plates." Interlocking being the key word.

Yep, all the canon indicates the ribcage is not one solid mass, but each rib is still a 'rib' but now looks more like an armadillo's plates...

It would still make breathing very difficult, as I am guessing it would take up space that is usually occupied by intercostal muscles, the expansion and contraction of which cause the rib cage to move in/out for breathing.

Ah well, lets just live by the rule of cool

The ribcage is why the marines were given improved lungs. Some of the other organs too might be there not just because but to make up for something the Marinade process does to your body. ;-)

Spetulhu wrote:The ribcage is why the marines were given improved lungs. Some of the other organs too might be there not just because but to make up for something the Marinade process does to your body. ;-)

The marinade process? Are Space Marines steaks now?

Coolyo294 wrote:

Spetulhu wrote:The ribcage is why the marines were given improved lungs. Some of the other organs too might be there not just because but to make up for something the Marinade process does to your body. ;-)

The marinade process? Are Space Marines steaks now?

I dont know, but my howling banshees sure find them tasty nomnoms > heehee

Marinade is shorter than Marinification... and they are often totally juiced on hormones and drugs that keep them afloat. Their increased hardiness isn't just against external threats, it also helps keep the marines alive when their own power armors have to administer emergency medication. I'm sure the dosages a 400-pound supersoldier needs are of the sort that would knock out two Mike Tysons.

Congenital scoliosis can cause fused ribs in extreme cases. This causes breathing difficulties.

But in the case of space marines, I think their diaphragm muscle would be roided up to compensate.

Their chest cavity is expanded from a normal human, presumably so the Lungs have space to expand into.

Or the Lungs can simply expand into the lower abdomen.


Its also possable that marines have rigid lungs.

Coolyo294 wrote:

Spetulhu wrote:The ribcage is why the marines were given improved lungs. Some of the other organs too might be there not just because but to make up for something the Marinade process does to your body. ;-)

The marinade process? Are Space Marines steaks now?

They are if your body cells are comprised of, say, skitterbeasts with swords for arms and your shadow can drive pskyers insane.

Because its heretical to apply biology and common sense when making super soldiers in the GRIMDARK FUTURE OF 40K

Trondheim wrote:Because its heretical to apply biology and common sense when making super soldiers in the GRIMDARK FUTURE OF 40K

Indeed my friend, and also the things they tend to stuff into it. Extra heart, lung, liver, and other stuff.

Its less a solid mass, and more like slats on a venetian blind. They lie over one another, allowing movement, while still leaving no gaps, sort of like scale mail,

This is correct.

It is the Tau who have a vertical rib cage, and thus cannot bend their torsos.

Ulthanashville wrote:Congenital scoliosis can cause fused ribs in extreme cases. This causes breathing difficulties.

But in the case of space marines, I think their diaphragm muscle would be roided up to compensate.

Or, the ribcage could simply grow to create a larger cavity that didn't have to expand to accommodate inflated lungs. There are a ton of ways for this to work, biologically. However, ultimately, the wording "a solid mass" is what was poorly chosen. Because the bone plates are interlaced, not one single mass of fused bone. They could indeed be flexible, but still create a layered or weaved effect that affects a more resilient protective shell to the internal organs.

Hrmmm some good answers. Fused ribcage probably to increase structural strength of abdomen, to allow greater weight bearing and to support more muscle mass?

Re: breathing, the lungs are probably gene-seed adapted to be much more efficient than normal human lungs, therefore probably dont need to expand a much.