In vertebrate anatomy, ribs () are the long curved bones which form the rib cage, part of the axial skeleton. In most tetrapods, ribs surround the thoracic cavity, enabling the lungs to expand and thus facilitate breathing by expanding the thoracic cavity. They serve to protect the lungs, heart, and other vital organs of the thorax. In some animals, especially snakes, ribs may provide support and protection for the entire body.
AI overview
Ribs are long curved bones that form a cage around your chest, protecting vital organs like your lungs and heart while allowing them to expand so you can breathe. In most animals with backbones, ribs play this dual role of defense and support, though in some creatures like snakes they extend further to protect the entire body.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Anatomy.Name
- Rib
- Anatomy.Latin
- costae
- Anatomy.Image
- Costae - collection.jpg
- Anatomy.Caption
- Collection of single ribs in the Faculty of Education of Charles University
- Anatomy.Image2
- Ribs animation.gif
- Anatomy.Caption2
- Animation of all ribs, including the false ones in humans
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
9 sectionsContents
- Human anatomy
- Rib details
- Rib cage
- Development
- Other animals
- Ribs as food
- Animated images
- See also
- References
In vertebrate anatomy, ribs () are the long curved bones which form the rib cage, part of the axial skeleton. In most tetrapods, ribs surround the thoracic cavity, enabling the lungs to expand and thus facilitate breathing by expanding the thoracic cavity. They serve to protect the lungs, heart, and other vital organs of the thorax. In some animals, especially snakes, ribs may provide support and protection for the entire body.
==Human anatomy== ===Rib details=== Human ribs are flat bones that form part of the rib cage to help protect internal organs. Humans usually have 24 ribs, in 12 pairs. 1 in 500 people have an extra rib known as a cervical rib. People may have a cervical rib on the right, left or both sides. All are attached at the back to the thoracic vertebrae and are numbered from 1 to 12 according to the vertebrae to which they attach. The first rib is attached to thoracic vertebra 1 (T1). At the front of the body, most of the ribs are joined by costal cartilage to the sternum. Ribs connect to vertebrae at the costovertebral joints.