These bones serve to protect the contents of your thoracic cavity.
They also serve as an attachment point for many muscles and are active during respiration.
You have 24 ribs in total; there are 12 on each side of your body.
Anatomy
There are two types of ribs, namely typical and atypical.
Typical ribs have a normalized general structure, while atypical ribs have slight variations.
The head of your ribs are shaped like a wedge and have two specific areas calledfacets.
These facets articulate with your spinal vertebrae.
These articulations form the costovertebral joints of your ribs.
The neck of each typical rib attaches the head with the shaft.
This articulation is called the costotransverse joint.
Thus, each typical rib has three points of articulation with a thoracic spinal vertebrae.
The shaft of a rib is curved and flat.
There is a small groove in each rib called the costal groove.
This groove protects the vein, nerve, and artery that courses along the rib.
The ribs slightly rotate as they course around your body, turning into cartilage called the costal cartilage.
This cartilage attaches to your sternum in the front of your thorax.
Rib number one is a short and thick bone.
(Subclavian means “below the clavicle,” or collar bone.)
There is a rough area on the second rib that serves as an attachment point for theserratus anterior muscle.
This cartilage then attaches to your lower sternum.
These ribs are also called “false ribs” since they do not attach directly to the sternum.
Ribs number 11 and 12 are considered atypical because they do not attach to the sternum.
They simply course around your thoracic and have no attachment point.
For this reason, they are often calledfloating ribs.
Interestingly, occasionally a person will have an extra rib above rib number one.
This is often called acervical rib.
This may lead to a condition calledthoracic outlet syndrome.
Function
There are several functions of your ribs.
These functions include:
Protection of the thoracic contents is most important.
When you breathe, yourdiaphragmmuscle in the lower thorax moves downward.
While this is happening, smallintercostal musclesnear your ribs contract, moving your ribs up and expanding your thorax.
This expansion creates a pressure differential between the air in your body and the ambient air outside your body.
Ambient air rushes into your lungs where they do their job of gas exchange.
Your ribs are essential movers in your thorax to allow breathing to occur.
They move and act as 12 pairs of bucket handles, moving up and down while you breathe.
Associated Conditions
There are several conditions that may affect your ribs.
If you suspect this, visit your healthcare practitioner right away.
They can assess your condition and make an accurate diagnosis so you could get started on treatment.
Trauma that causes a rib fracture or dislocation typically requires a period of rest and immobilization.
Usually ribs heal within a period of six to eight weeks.
Anincentive spirometermay be used to improve breathing.
Irritation of your costal cartilage may result in costochondritis.
This is typically treated with rest, ice for pain and inflammation, andpostural control exercises.
The exercises help to keep pressure off your rib cartilage, allowing the structures to heal properly.
A rib dislocation may cause pain in your mid back, and is often treated successfully withphysical therapy.
Your therapist can show you exercises designed to reduce the dislocation and prevent problems.
Postural exercises may help to keep your pain and spasm away.
StatPearls.Anatomy, thorax, ribs.
StatPearls.Anatomy, thorax, cervical rib.
