HUMAN ANATOMY BY CATEGORY
Head Anatomy
Neck Anatomy
Shoulder Anatomy
Back Anatomy
Chest Anatomy
Abdominal Anatomy
Hip Anatomy
Upper Leg Anatomy
Knee Anatomy
Lower Leg Anatomy
Ankle Anatomy
Foot Anatomy
Upper Arm Anatomy
Elbow Anatomy
Forearm Anatomy
Wrist Anatomy
Hand Anatomy
Skin Anatomy
Internal Organ Anatomy
Rib Cage Anatomy
Anatomy of the Rib Cage
The rib cage is designed to protect the vital organs of the
lungs
and
heart
. They also play a very important role in breathing, as the
intercostal muscles
move the ribs upward and outward to allow the lungs to expand. There are 12 pairs of ribs that each attach to a corresponding thoracic vertebrae. The first 7 pairs of ribs also known as
“
true ribs
”
encircle the chest and attach to the
sternum
in the anterior portion of the body. The next 3 pairs of ribs also known as
“
false ribs
”
do not extend fully around to the sternum but are connected to each other by costal cartilage and are then connected to the 7th pair of ribs. It is also important to note that the last 2 pairs of ribs also known as
“
floating ribs”
do not extend around to the front.
Related Injuries
-
Bruised Rib Cage
-
Fractured Rib
Related Surgeries
-
Slipping Rib Repair
Referenced Material
Anatomica’s Body Atlas. (2002). San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press (pg. 98-99)