RIBS
Ribs are the long curved bones arranged one below the other to form the cage that surrounds the chest. Human beings have 12 pairs of ribs that make up the rib cage. The length of the rib increases from the 1st rib to 7th rib and then gradually decreases from the 7th to the 12th rib.
The first 7 sets of ribs are called true ribs because they are attached to the breastbone (vertical flat bone in the middle of the chest) in front and to the backbone behind.
The next five pairs of ribs i.e. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are called false ribs, as they are connected to the backbone or spine at the back but do not connect to the chest bone in front. The first three sets of the false ribs (8, 9, and 10) connect to the lowest part of the 7 true ribs in the front.
The last two pairs of ribs, i.e. 11th and 12th are called floating ribs (costae fluctuantes) as they are attached only to the back bone or vertebral column at the back and not attached to the breast bone.
The first rib is the shortest of all and the second rib is twice the length of the first. The first2 and the last 3 ribs have special features and are referred as atypical ribs. The 3rd to 9th ribs are typical ribs.
The lungs take up the majority of the space within the rib cage. The ribs move up and down, when we breathe to provide space for expansion of lungs.
Published December 21, 2021
Function
The ribs provide support to the chest cavity and form the cage to protect vital organs like the lungs and heart. The rib cage plays a vital role in forming the shape of the body. It supports shoulders.
Disease/ Injury/ Fracture
The first rib is rarely fractured because of its secured position behind the collar bone. Fractures of the first and second ribs are associated with head injury or facial injury most of the time mostly and can cause serious damage to the nerves of the shoulder region. The middle ribs are most commonly fractured ribs. Rib fractures are painful as they have to move inevitably to allow for breathing. A broken rib may puncture nearby organs if it shifts inwards. 25 to 30% of rib fractures are not seen on x-ray. Rib fractures heal in 4 to 6 weeks.
Interesting fact(s):
A person may very rarely have an extra rib known as a cervical rib.
Ribs move about 5 million times when you breathe for a year.
Ribs protect vital organs like the lungs and heart but are so delicate that they can even break with violent sneezing.
