Component of a cage, naturally (3)

I believe the answer is:

rib

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'component' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rib that I've seen before include "Tease (sl.)" , "Supporting structure" , "Part of vault" , "Tease; body part" , "One of 12 pairs of curved bones" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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