Ribs – Function, Structure & Ailments

Ribs

Human ribs determine the shape and appearance of the chest . They usually come in pairs. Injuries such as bruises and fractures are not only often painful. They can also restrict the patient’s freedom of movement. The complaints often arise in the context of an accident.

Definition

The definition of ribs assigns a rod-shaped appearance to the bony structure. The ribs arise from the back of the thoracic vertebrae . The thoracic vertebrae, sternum and ribs together form the chest, also known as the thorax on a medical level.

Pain in the ribs can indicate various ailments. A functional disorder due to a fracture cannot be ruled out, especially after an external force has been applied. Accordingly, a doctor should be consulted to prevent further symptoms.

Anatomy

The majority of humans have a total of 12 pairs of ribs. In general, however, people can also have more or fewer ribs, the number is subject to anatomical fluctuations. There is a connection between the ribs and the thoracic spine. While the lower two pairs of ribs are not further attached, the upper 10 ribs are articulated to the sternum.

Doctors divide the ribs into three groups. While the first seven ribs are referred to as “true ribs”, ribs 8 through 10 belong in the “false ribs” category. The name “false rib” comes about because the group members do not have a direct connection to the sternum, but instead make contact with the 7th rib through cartilage. Numbers 11 and 12 are called vestigial ribs. They are shorter than the rest of the ribs and do not reach the costal arch.

Each individual rib consists of a bony and a cartilaginous structure. There is a bony appearance at the source from which they arise, the spine. As it progresses towards the sternum, the structure of the ribs changes and they become cartilaginous.

About 0.5 percent of the population has a cervical or lumbar rib. This occurs due to a misalignment of the ribs, but in most cases it is only discovered by chance and is rarely accompanied by symptoms. The intercostal muscles are located between the ribs.

Function

The function of the ribs is based on the one hand on creating the external appearance of the human being and on the other hand on protecting bodily structures. The ribs determine the shape of the entire chest. In addition, important organs are located under the bony structures. The lungs and the heart should be mentioned here in particular .

The hardness of the material ensures that the elements are protected in everyday life. Otherwise, even a harmless fall would lead to serious injuries. Instead, it is necessary to open the chest for some specific operations, for example to get to the heart.

In addition, the ribs play an important role in breathing. This takes place primarily via the respiratory muscles, which ensure that the chest narrows and expands as part of their work. The ribs allow the thorax to rise and fall during inhalation and exhalation. The process is handled by the rib sternum joints and rib vertebral joints, in interaction with different muscle groups.

The muscles involved belong to the intercostal muscles category. This means that the ribs are important in everyday human life, although they are rarely given attention. They protect the heart and lungs and also contribute to optimal breathing.

Diseases

Complaints in the rib area are mainly noticeable through pain. These can indicate various underlying diseases. For example, there is inflammation of the rib joints.

While the ribs themselves cannot show any inflammation, such a change in the area of ​​the cartilage and the joint cannot be ruled out. Tietze syndrome is often responsible for the symptoms. So far, however, scientists have not been able to find out exactly how the syndrome develops. Victims report severe pain.

Irritation of the rib nerves is also possible. This develops preferentially due to inflammation with a specific virus . Ribs are not protected by any other structure. Instead, they can be easily fulfilled under the skin .

Because of their anatomical position, a fracture is not uncommon. Falls and hard blows in particular lead to a fracture, which can sometimes also be seen externally. The ribs often come loose from their joint before fracture occurs.

Depending on the extent of the accident, victims suffer from only one broken rib or several. In a rib row fracture, a single rib has multiple fractures.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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