How many ribs does a person have? Rib fractures. Anatomical feature of the first pair of ribs

Ribs, costae, 12 pairs, - narrow, curved bone plates of varying lengths, symmetrically located on the sides thoracic.

Ribs video

In each rib, there is a longer bony part of the rib, os costale, a short cartilaginous part - costal cartilage, cartilago сostalis, and two ends - the anterior one, facing the sternum, and the posterior one, facing the spinal column.

Bone part ribs have a head, neck and body. The head of the rib, caput costae, is located at its vertebral end. It has an articular surface of the rib head, facies articularis capitis costae. This surface on the II-X ribs is divided by the horizontally running ridge of the rib head, crista capitis costae, into an upper, smaller, and lower, larger part, each of which respectively articulates with the costal fossae of two adjacent vertebrae.

The neck of the rib, collum costae, is the most narrowed and rounded part of the rib, bearing on the upper edge the crest of the neck of the rib, crista colli costae (ribs I and XII do not have this crest).

At the border with the body at the 10 upper pairs of ribs on the neck there is a small tubercle of the rib, tuberculum costae, on which there is an articular surface of the tubercle of the rib, facies articularis tuberculi costae, articulating with the transverse costal fossa of the corresponding vertebra.

Between the posterior surface of the rib neck and the anterior surface of the transverse process of the corresponding vertebra, a costotransverse foramen, foramen costotransversarium, is formed.

Rib body, corpus costae, extending from the tubercle to the sternal end of the rib, is the longest section of the bony part of the rib. At some distance from the tubercle, the body of the rib, bending strongly, forms the angle of the rib, angulus costae. At the 1st rib it coincides with the tubercle, and on the remaining ribs the distance between these formations increases (up to the 11th rib); the body of the XII edge does not form an angle.

The body of the rib is flattened throughout. This allows us to distinguish between two surfaces: the inner, concave, and the outer, convex, and two edges: the upper, rounded, and the lower, sharp. On the inner surface along the lower edge there is a rib groove, sulcus costae, where the intercostal veins and veins lie. The edges of the ribs describe a spiral, so the rib is twisted around its long axis.
At the anterior sternal end of the bony part of the rib there is a fossa with a slight roughness; The costal cartilage is attached to it.

Costal cartilages, cartilagines costales (there are also 12 pairs of them), are a continuation of the bony parts of the ribs. From the 1st to the 2nd ribs they gradually lengthen and connect directly to the sternum. Upper 7 pairs of ribs - true ribs, costae verae, lower 5 pairs of ribs - false ribs, costae spuriae, and the XI and XII ribs are oscillating ribs, costae fluitantes. The cartilages of the VIII, IX and X ribs do not directly approach the sternum, but each of them joins the cartilage of the overlying rib. The cartilages of the XI and XII ribs (sometimes X) do not reach the sternum and with their cartilaginous ends lie freely in the muscles abdominal wall.

Some features have two first and two last pairs of edges. First rib, costa prima (I), shorter, but wider than the others, has an almost horizontally located upper and bottom surface(instead of external and internal for other ribs). On the upper surface of the rib, in anterior section, there is a tubercle of the anterior scalene muscle, tuberculum m. scaleni anterioris. Outside and behind the tubercle lies a shallow groove, sulcus a. subclaviae, a trace of the artery of the same name lying here, a. subclavia), posterior to which there is a small roughness (place of attachment, m. scalenus medius). Anterior and medial to the tubercle there is a faint groove subclavian vein, sulcus v. subclaviae. The articular surface of the head of the first rib is not divided by a ridge; the neck is long and thin; the costal angle coincides with the tubercle of the rib.

Second rib, costa secunda (II), has a roughness on the outer surface - the tuberosity of the serratus anterior muscle, tuberositas m. serrati anterioris (place of attachment of the tooth of the specified muscle).

The eleventh and twelfth ribs, costa II et costa XII, are not separated by a crest articular surfaces heads. On the XI rib, the angle, neck, tubercle and costal groove are weakly expressed, and on the III rib they are absent.

The question “How many ribs does a person have?” and “Are there differences in the number of ribs between women and men?” is very relevant, since it is asked even by those people who are interested in biology and human anatomy. And although this question is not too global, it is still worth understanding why it is so popular and how many ribs a person has.

How many ribs do women have?

It has long been believed that women have at least one more rib than men. And this judgment appeared thanks to church scriptures. Everyone knows the story about Adam and Eve, and according to the Bible, Eve was created by God from the rib of Adam. And that is why it is generally accepted that women have more ribs. And even if you believe this scripture, why do modern men one less rib. After all, if a person is born without any limb (anything can happen in life) or some limb is amputated, his offspring most often has a missing limb.

Geneticists around the world have long been convinced that the absence of limbs does not in any way change a person’s DNA and RNA, which means that the loss of a limb does not in any way affect the offspring.

Typically, every person, regardless of gender, has twelve pairs of ribs, but there are a number of reasons why their number may be more or less than twelve:

– Pathologies (congenital and acquired);

– Removal of “hanging ribs” for cosmetic and health purposes;

– Birth with “vestigial” ribs.

However, the question “how many ribs do women have?” still makes sense since women do have smaller ribcages, which may make them appear to have fewer ribs than men.

How many ribs do men have?

Modern science has repeatedly proven that almost every person has only twelve pairs of ribs. The first seven pairs create the foundation chest, the next three serve to strengthen the chest, and the last two pairs do not have useful properties, since they are not adjacent to the chest.


Why practically? Unfortunately, very often at birth a pathology of the chest can occur, due to which a person will have thirteen or eleven pairs of ribs. Similar pathologies may not be congenital. There is a huge possibility that after a rib fracture, it will not begin the recovery process correctly, which is why a growth will form near the rib. Yes, such a bone growth cannot be called a separate rib, but it occupies the same area as a regular rib. At the same time, the absence of one pair of ribs does not significantly affect human health (especially if the lower pair of ribs is missing). The presence of an extra pair greatly complicates the functioning of the lungs and heart. Also now the procedure for removing the lower pairs of ribs has become very popular; basically, the ribs of the model are removed to create a better waist (both women and men can pursue similar goals), or to relieve pressure on the spine.


This is why the question “how many ribs do men and women have?” in principle, it is not correct, and it appeared solely because of the story of Adam and Eve. There is no scientific evidence that the difference in the number of ribs is in any way dependent on gender. The correct question is “how many ribs does a person have?” and here the answer may not be unambiguous, since there are many factors due to which the number of ribs can be more or less than twelve.

Another factor not mentioned is genetics and the appearance of so-called “vestigial ribs.” Previously, a person actually had more ribs than modern people, however, over time, their number decreased, as the need for them disappeared. And for some people, genetics may play out such that they are born with a large number ribs And at the same time this case will not be considered a pathology, since in such a case“extra” pairs of ribs do not complicate the work of the lungs and heart at all.

Short version

RIB CAGEformed by the sternum and 12 pairs of ribs with corresponding thoracic vertebrae. Ribs are bones connected in pairs to the thoracic vertebrae (12 pairs). Each rib has a posterior, longer, bony part and an anterior, shorter, cartilaginous part (costal cartilage). The seven pairs of upper ribs are connected by cartilaginous parts to the sternum - true ribs. The cartilages of 8-10 pairs of ribs are connected to the cartilage of the overlying rib, forming false ribs. The 11th and 12th pairs of ribs have short cartilaginous parts that end in the muscles of the abdominal wall - oscillating ribs. In the bony part of the ribs, the head, neck and body are distinguished. The head of the rib connects to the vertebral body. Behind the head, the posterior end of the rib narrows, forming the neck of the rib, which passes into the longest section - the body. Between the neck and body there is a tubercle, which serves for articulation with the transverse process of the corresponding thoracic vertebra. The bodies of 2-12 pairs of ribs are curved anteriorly, have an internal and outer surface, top and bottom edge. The rib curves anteriorly, forming a rib angle. Along its lower edge there is a rib groove for blood vessels and nerves. 1 rib has an upper and lower surface, a medial and a lateral edge. On the upper surface there is a tubercle for attachment of the anterior scalene muscle. In front of the tubercle there is a groove of the subclavian vein, behind there is a groove of the subclavian artery.
The sternum (lat. sternum) is a flat bone located almost in frontal plane. It consists of 3 parts: upper - the manubrium of the sternum, middle - the body; lower - xiphoid process. On the upper edge of the manubrium of the sternum there are 3 notches: in the middle - jugular, on the sides - paired clavicular (for articulation with the clavicles); Below the latter, on the lateral edge, there are recesses for the cartilage of 1-2 pairs of ribs - costal notches. The body of the sternum along the edges has notches for the cartilage of 3-7 pairs of ribs. The xiphoid process is significantly narrower and thinner than the body, its shape is different: it is usually pointed at the bottom, sometimes has a through hole or is forked.
Connections of the bones of the chest.
With their posterior ends, the ribs are connected to the thoracic vertebrae using joints. The heads of the ribs articulate with the vertebral bodies, and the tubercles of the ribs articulate with the transverse processes. The joints are combined, they raise and lower the ribs. The seven pairs of upper ribs articulate with the sternum at their anterior ends. The first ribs are connected to the sternum by synchondroses, and the remaining 6 pairs are connected by true sternocostal joints. These are true ribs. The next 5 pairs are called false, VII, VIII, IX, X pairs of ribs are connected to each other by their cartilages - the underlying ones with the overlying ones, they form a costal arch. The anterior ends of the XI and XII pairs of ribs lie freely in the soft tissues; they are called oscillating ribs.
Functions of the chest.1. Protective2. Participates in the act of breathing. When breathing, the ribs are raised and lowered by the intercostal muscles.
When breathing, 1 rib is inactive, so air ventilation in the upper part of the chest is the least, and inflammatory processes occur more often.
The chest as a whole is formed by twelve thoracic vertebrae, ribs and the sternum. Its upper aperture is limited posteriorly by the first thoracic vertebra, laterally by the first rib and anteriorly by the manubrium of the sternum. The lower aperture of the chest is much wider. Its border is formed by the XII thoracic vertebra, XII and XI ribs, costal arch and xiphoid process. The costal arches and the xiphoid process form the substernal angle. The intercostal spaces are clearly visible, and inside the chest, on the sides of the spine, there are pulmonary grooves. Back and side walls The chest is much longer than the anterior one. In a living person, the bony walls of the chest are supplemented by muscles: the lower aperture is closed by the diaphragm, and the intercostal spaces are closed by muscles of the same name. Inside the chest, in chest cavity, located the heart, lungs, thymus, large vessels and nerves.

The shape of the chest has gender and age differences. In men, it widens downwards, cone-shaped, has large sizes. The chest of women is smaller, egg-shaped: narrow at the top, wide in the middle and tapering again at the bottom. In newborns, the chest is somewhat compressed from the sides and extended anteriorly.

Original

The rib cage is formed by the sternum and 12 pairs of ribs with corresponding thoracic vertebrae. Ribs (lat. costae) are bones connected in pairs to the thoracic vertebrae (12 pairs). Each rib has a posterior, longer, bony part and an anterior, shorter, cartilaginous part (costal cartilage). The seven pairs of upper ribs are connected by cartilaginous parts to the sternum - true ribs. The cartilages of 8-10 pairs of ribs are connected to the cartilage of the overlying rib, forming false ribs. The 11th and 12th pairs of ribs have short cartilaginous parts that end in the muscles of the abdominal wall - the oscillating ribs.
The bony part of the ribs is divided into the head, neck and body. The head of the rib connects to the vertebral body. Behind the head, the posterior end of the rib narrows, forming the neck of the rib, which passes into the longest section - the body. Between the neck and body there is a tubercle, which serves for articulation with the transverse process of the corresponding thoracic vertebra.
The bodies of 2-12 pairs of ribs are curved anteriorly, have internal and external surfaces, an upper and lower edge. The rib curves anteriorly, forming a rib angle. Along its lower edge there is a rib groove for blood vessels and nerves.
1 rib has upper and lower surfaces, medial and lateral edges. On the upper surface there is a tubercle for attachment of the anterior scalene muscle. In front of the tubercle there is a groove of the subclavian vein, behind there is a groove of the subclavian artery.
The sternum (lat. sternum) is a flat bone located almost in the frontal plane. It consists of 3 parts: upper - the manubrium of the sternum, middle - the body; lower - xiphoid process. On the upper edge of the manubrium of the sternum there are 3 notches: in the middle - jugular, on the sides - paired clavicular (for articulation with the clavicles); Below the latter, on the lateral edge, there are recesses for the cartilage of 1-2 pairs of ribs - costal notches. The body of the sternum along the edges has notches for the cartilage of 3-7 pairs of ribs. The xiphoid process is much narrower and thinner than the body, its shape is different: it is usually pointed downward, sometimes has a through hole or is bifurcated.
Connections of the bones of the chest.
With their posterior ends, the ribs are connected to the thoracic vertebrae using joints. The heads of the ribs articulate with the vertebral bodies, and the tubercles of the ribs articulate with the transverse processes. The joints are combined, they raise and lower the ribs. The seven pairs of upper ribs articulate with the sternum at their anterior ends. The first ribs are connected to the sternum by synchondroses, and the remaining 6 pairs are connected by true sternocostal joints. These are true ribs. The next 5 pairs are called false, VII, VIII, IX, X pairs of ribs are connected to each other by their cartilages - the underlying ones with the overlying ones, they form a costal arch. The anterior ends of the XI and XII pairs of ribs lie freely in the soft tissues; they are called oscillating ribs.
Functions of the chest.
1. Protective
2. Participates in the act of breathing
When breathing, the ribs are raised and lowered by the intercostal muscles.
When breathing, 1 rib is inactive, so air ventilation in the upper part of the chest is the least, and inflammatory processes occur more often.
Whole chest(compages thoracis, thorax) is formed by twelve thoracic vertebrae, ribs and sternum. Its upper aperture is limited posteriorly by the first thoracic vertebra, laterally by the first rib and anteriorly by the manubrium of the sternum. The lower aperture of the chest is much wider. Its border is formed by the XII thoracic vertebra, XII and XI ribs, costal arch and xiphoid process. The costal arches and the xiphoid process form the substernal angle. The intercostal spaces are clearly visible, and inside the chest, on the sides of the spine, there are pulmonary grooves. The back and side walls of the chest are much longer than the front. In a living person, the bony walls of the chest are supplemented by muscles: the lower aperture is closed by the diaphragm, and the intercostal spaces are closed by muscles of the same name. Inside the chest, in the chest cavity, are the heart, lungs, thymus gland, large vessels and nerves.

The shape of the chest has gender and age differences. In men, it expands downward, cone-shaped, and is large in size. The chest of women is smaller, egg-shaped: narrow at the top, wide in the middle and tapering again at the bottom. In newborns, the chest is somewhat compressed from the sides and extended anteriorly.

It’s not difficult to answer the question of how many ribs a person has, but to an ordinary person who does not study anatomy or has graduated from school a long time ago, this is difficult. There is a legend that a woman was created by God from the rib of Adam, so it was previously believed that a man has fewer ribs than the fair sex. But this is a deep misconception, and scientists have long proven this fact. The first to refute such an assumption back in the Middle Ages was the outstanding anatomist Andreas Vesalius. This bold assumption served as a reason for the inquisitors to severely punish the scientist.

Rib cage

The number of ribs in a person is 12 pairs. Of this total number, 10 pairs close together to form a tight ring for the chest organs. The first 7 pairs of them are attached directly to the sternum, and the remaining three - to the cartilaginous part of the overlying rib. The last three pairs are not attached to anything, but end freely on the muscles. Based on this edge, they get their name: the first seven pairs are true, the next three pairs are false, and the last ones are oscillating.

Externally, the ribs are flat bones, which are arched and form the chest - the lungs and heart are located in it. The chest consists of all 12 pairs of ribs, and this is the norm for every person. Sometimes there are eleven or thirteen pairs, which is undoubtedly not the norm, but this fact does not in any way affect the quality of a person’s life.

Rib anatomy

The thickness of the rib does not exceed five millimeters. By appearance it is a curved plate that consists of bone and cartilage parts. The bone part consists of spongy bone tissue and is divided into the head, neck, on which the tubercle and body are located. There is a groove at the bottom of the latter. The body is attached to the sternum using cartilage. The rib has two surfaces: internal (concave) and external (convex in shape). On the inner surface, in the rib groove, there are vessels and nerves that supply the intercostal, abdominal muscles and organs of the chest and abdomen.

Joints of the ribs and the inner surface of the chest

The ribs are attached to the bones using various connections: joints - with spinal column, and synarthrosis - with the sternum. The inside of the chest is lined with a special membrane called the pleura. The walls of the chest are lined by the parietal pleura, and the organs by the visceral pleura. With the help of a thin layer of lubricant, both sheets are able to slide freely over each other.

Function of the ribs and chest

The chest is important anatomical education and has many functions. It protects vital organs from all kinds of injuries and external influence. The frame function of the ribs helps keep the organs in the correct anatomical position; due to this, the heart does not move to the sides and the lungs do not collapse. The ribs are also attachment points for many muscles, particularly the respiratory muscles, the largest of which is the diaphragm. The sternum is where the red bone marrow is located.

Injuries to the ribs and chest

Regardless of how many pairs of ribs a person has, fractures are the most common pathology. A fracture can damage internal organs located in the chest, as well as blood vessels and nerves. This injury mainly occurs in elderly and old age, this is associated with reduced elasticity as well as bone fragility. Even a minor injury can lead to a fracture at this age. Typical place locations of rib fractures are considered side surfaces chest due to the fact that this is where the maximum bending is observed. Typical clinical picture may be present immediately (fractures are accompanied by pain), but can develop later, when fragments touch internal organs and their function is disrupted. It also happens incomplete fracture ribs, or the rib may break so that displacement of the fragments does not occur. In addition to grass, a fracture can also be the result of a disease that affects the bone tissue of the rib and reduces its strength. It all depends on how many ribs a person has that are affected.

Other rib pathology

The ribs, like the rest of the bone tissue, can be affected by osteoporosis. With this disease, calcium is washed out of the bones and they become brittle. Oncology can often affect the ribs: the tumor can grow in the bones, as well as in neighboring organs. The consequence of its growth can also be pathological fractures, the number and complexity of which depends on how many ribs a person has exposed to pathology. The rib may also be affected by tuberculosis or inflammation. Due to the fact that red is located in the rib and sternum bone marrow, the development of pathology associated with it is possible. This pathology is myeloma, as well as leukemia.

Complications

An uncomplicated fracture of one rib is not life-threatening. But a few broken ribs can lead to injury. internal organs, disrupt breathing and cause associated complications. Fragments can cause injury lung tissue or pleura. Due to this, pneumothorax (entry of air between the layers of the pleura), hemothorax (entry of blood into the pleural cavity), and also pneumohemothorax can develop. Subcutaneous emphysema may also develop, which is accompanied by the penetration of air into the subcutaneous fat.

Diagnosis and treatment

Single and multiple fractures are accompanied by pain, especially during inhalation, movement, coughing or talking. Pain syndrome passes or decreases with the patient lying down or simply at rest. Rib fractures are accompanied by shallow breathing, as well as a lag in the chest in the act of breathing on the affected side. During palpation, the patient characterizes the fracture zone as the place of greatest pain, and it is also possible to hear a characteristic crunching sound (crepitus).

The diagnosis of a “fracture”, as well as how many ribs a person has suffered, is not difficult to establish; it is enough to take a survey radiography of the chest. It is difficult to diagnose complications using a simple x-ray; additional ultrasound examination pleural cavity, as well as puncture of the pleural space. Dysfunction external respiration cause anterior or lateral fractures. IN posterior section Trauma causes ventilation problems less frequently. Rib fractures are not treated using the fixation method; only complicated, multiple injuries may require immobilization. This pathology requires treatment in a hospital, and in special cases which are accompanied by injury to internal organs, as well as bleeding, may require surgical treatment. If you fix the chest, you can get severe infectious complication - congestive pneumonia, which is very difficult to treat and in many cases leads to fatal outcome. The same applies to the popular practice of tying the chest with sheets or towels. The period during which fusion occurs bone tissue, is equal to approximately one month (this is for an uncomplicated rib fracture). During treatment multiple fractures the treatment period is more than long period, which depends on general condition body, age, presence concomitant diseases, as well as the severity of complications that arose in connection with the injury.

The rib is a very simple bone anatomically, but it does a lot important functions and is part of such a skeletal formation as the chest. There are many pathologies in which a rib can be affected. The main thing is to diagnose them in a timely manner, because subsequently the function of vital organs may be impaired. In some situations, only immediate surgical treatment will help save the life of the victim; in other cases, the tactics of the chosen treatment depend on the pathology and the severity of its course.


Hello, dear friends! Today we will touch on medical topics and anatomy. Everyone learned the human structure in school, but after a while the information is forgotten, and some important knowledge sometimes it's hard to remember.

For example, do you know how many ribs a person has? If not, then my article will be useful to you.

It used to be that men had fewer ribs than women. They thought so because biblical story about Adam and Eve.

But this was a big misconception, which scientists quickly convinced everyone of. Back in the Middle Ages, the scientist Andreas Vesalius tried to say this, for which he was punished by the inquisitors.
So every person has same number ribs These bones are located in pairs in the chest.

In total, a person has 24 ribs or 12 pairs. But you need to know what's in progress evolutionary development In humans, there was another pair, but in the process of development it ceased to form.

Now in the body it exists in the form of rudimentary rudiments.
All pairs have the same structure. In this case, there is a bone part, cartilage and two tips.
The costal bones form the head, neck and body.


The head is located at the posterior tip of the rib. In this case, the body of the bone is the longest and most curved part.

The neck is the most rounded and narrowest fragment. A rib is an arched bone that runs from the chest to form the rib cage.

This structure allows you to protect soft fabrics And important organs from various injuries.

In an adult, such bones come in pairs. In this case, seven true couples and 5 false.

By the way, there are also anomalies when there should be 12 pairs, but there are only 11 or 13. Sometimes this phenomenon occurs due to hereditary predisposition, and sometimes as a result of surgery.
So, the number of ribs may differ on one side or on both sides for the following reasons:

  • congenital or acquired pathologies;
  • removal of ribs for health or cosmetic purposes;
  • the presence of rudimentary ribs at birth.

Functional features of the ribs

The thickness of the bone does not exceed 5 mm. The bony part consists of a bone and cartilaginous part.
At the same time, this part human body has different functional purposes:

  1. These bones protect organs from all kinds of damage. They form a bone frame and protect the insides from shock loads and compression.
  2. These bones serve as a framework for fixing various muscles.
  3. The frame reduces.
  4. The ribs are attached to the spine using joints and are also adjacent to the sternum.

Why you need to protect your ribs


While learning how and where ribs are counted, you need to learn about the possible lawsuits they may be subject to.

Accidents can cause several important bones to break.

Here's what you need to know:

  1. A fracture can cause damage to internal organs, as bone tissue can penetrate into the cavity of the internal organs.
  2. Older people are especially susceptible to bone fractures. With age, tissue strength decreases.
  3. Chipped bone tissue can damage the pleura, which can cause.
  4. If the bones are injured, it may be disrupted.
  5. IN mature age The ribs can be affected by osteoporosis. At the same time, it is greatly reduced, which contributes to bone fragility.
  6. A tumor may form.

Can also cause harm cosmetic surgeries, for example, to reduce waist size.

In this case, the lower ribs are removed and the waist becomes thinner, but often after such a procedure problems may arise with the functioning of the internal organs.

How long does it take for chest bones to heal after a fracture?


Do you know how long it takes for these bones to recover after fractures? Sometimes this takes a very long time.

If the injury is not very complex, then the recovery process occurs gradually and independently.

In this case, it is necessary to ensure gentle conditions. The bones become intact in about a month. In older people and weak immunity recovery is delayed.
Inpatient treatment often includes the following steps:

  1. Treatment with painkillers.
  2. Applying bandages and elastic materials.
  3. Removing excess blood or air.
  4. Treatment of problems with the respiratory system.
  5. Restoring areas that do not heal on their own.

The position during sleep is also of great importance. To make the healing process faster, you need to sleep in a sitting or reclining position.

As they say, forewarned is forearmed. Knowledge anatomical structure bodies can be useful to everyone.

If you want to add information, write about it in the comments. If you liked the information, share it with your acquaintances and friends.

That's all I have for today. Goodbye, dear friends!