Typical ribs
Updates to Article Attributes
Ribs 2 to 10 are considered typical. Ribs 1, 11 and 12 can be considered atypical.
Gross anatomy
A typical rib is long and flat. They contain a:
head
neck
tubercle
shaft
angle
Ribs have a rounded, smooth superior border. The inferior border is thin and sharp.
Osteology
Head
The head of a rib has two facets. These two facets are separated by the crest of the head.
Neck
The neck follows the head. It is a narrow portion of the rib found between the head and tubercle.
Tubercle
The tubercle is found immediately after the neck. It is a prominence on the outer surface of the rib. the tubercle contains a facet that articulates with the transverse process of the numerically corresponding vertebra. This area is called the articular part. The non-articular part provides attachment for the costotransverse ligament.
Shaft (or body)
The lengthy shaft follows the tubercle. It is thin, flat and twisted on the long axis. The shaft bends anteriorly at the angle of the rib. The angle marks the lateral limit of the attachment of the deep muscles of the back to the ribs.
Costal groove
The inferior border contains a groove called the costal groove. The costal groove carries a vein, artery and nerve (mnemonic: VAN) in that order.
Articulations
Vertebrae
Ribs articulate with vertebra by two facets. The inferior facet articulates with the vertebra below. The superior facet articulates with the numerically corresponding vertebral body above.
The joint capsule is reinforced by the radiate ligament. This ligament has three bands. The upper band extends to the body of the vertebra above. The lower band extends to the vertebra below. The central band runs horizontally, deep to the anterior longitudinal ligament, into the intervertebral disc.
The tubercle articulates with the transverse process also by means of a synovial joint.
Costochondral joint
Every rib articulates with costal cartilage with a cartilaginous joint.
Sternocostal and interchondral joints
Costal cartilages 2 to 7 articulate by their own synovial joints to the lateral border of the sternum.
Ribs 6 to 10 articulate with costal cartilages which then articulate with each other along their borders through small synovial joints.
Attachments
There are a number of muscles related to typical ribs.
Intercostal muscles
-
Thethe intercostal muscles are situated in the intercostal spaces. there are three main groups running superficial to deep:
Diaphragm
-
Thethe diaphragm rises from the inner surfaces of the costal cartilages on the sixth rib
Serratus anterior
-
Thethe serratus anterior muscles originate anterolaterally from ribs 1 to 8
Pectoralis
-
Thethe pectoralis major and minor muscles arise from superior anterior ribs
Latissimus dorsi
-
Thethe latissimus dorsi has origins in the 9th to 12th ribs
Scalene muscle group
-
Scalenusscalenus anterior, posterior and medius muscles have attachments in the first and second ribs
Rectus abdominis
-
Thethe rectus abdominis inserts at the xiphisternum and 5th to 7th costal cartilages
Radiographic features
In frontal chest radiographs, 12 pairs of symmetric ribs should be visible. Typical ribs specifically demonstrate a flanged inferior cortex where the costal groove runs.
Related pathology
-<li><p>head</p></li>-<li><p>neck</p></li>-<li><p>tubercle</p></li>-<li><p>shaft</p></li>-<li><p>angle</p></li>-</ul><p>Ribs have a rounded, smooth superior border. The inferior border is thin and sharp. </p><h5>Osteology</h5><h6>Head</h6><p>The <strong>head</strong> of a rib has two facets. These two facets are separated by the <strong>crest of the head</strong>.</p><h6>Neck</h6><p>The <strong>neck</strong> follows the head. It is a narrow portion of the rib found between the head and tubercle. </p><h6>Tubercle</h6><p>The <strong>tubercle</strong> is found immediately after the neck. It is a prominence on the outer surface of the rib. the tubercle contains a facet that articulates with the transverse process of the numerically corresponding <a href="/articles/typical-thoracic-vertebrae">vertebra</a>. This area is called the <strong>articular part</strong>. The <strong>non-articular part</strong> provides attachment for the costotransverse ligament.</p><h6>Shaft (or body)</h6><p>The lengthy <strong>shaft</strong> follows the tubercle. It is thin, flat and twisted on the long axis. The shaft bends anteriorly at the angle of the rib. The angle marks the lateral limit of the attachment of the deep muscles of the back to the ribs.</p><h6>Costal groove</h6><p>The inferior border contains a groove called the<strong> costal groove</strong>. The costal groove carries a vein, artery and nerve (mnemonic: VAN) in that order.</p><h5>Articulations</h5><h6>Vertebrae</h6><p>Ribs articulate with vertebra by two facets. The inferior facet articulates with the vertebra below. The superior facet articulates with the numerically corresponding vertebral body above.</p><p>The joint capsule is reinforced by the <strong>radiate ligament</strong>. This ligament has three bands. The upper band extends to the body of the vertebra above. The lower band extends to the vertebra below. The central band runs horizontally, deep to the anterior longitudinal ligament, into the intervertebral disc.</p><p>The tubercle articulates with the transverse process also by means of a synovial joint.</p><h6>Costochondral joint</h6><p>Every rib articulates with costal cartilage with a cartilaginous joint.</p><h6>Sternocostal and interchondral joints</h6><p>Costal cartilages 2 to 7 articulate by their own synovial joints to the lateral border of the <a href="/articles/sternum">sternum</a>.</p><p>Ribs 6 to 10 articulate with costal cartilages which then articulate with each other along their borders through small synovial joints.</p><h5>Attachments</h5><p>There are a number of muscles related to typical ribs.</p><h6>Intercostal muscles</h6><ul><li>The <a href="/articles/intercostal-muscles">intercostal muscles</a> are situated in the intercostal spaces. there are three main groups running superficial to deep:<ul>- +<li>head</li>
- +<li>neck</li>
- +<li>tubercle</li>
- +<li>shaft</li>
- +<li>angle</li>
- +</ul><p>Ribs have a rounded, smooth superior border. The inferior border is thin and sharp. </p><h5>Osteology</h5><h6>Head</h6><p>The <strong>head</strong> of a rib has two facets. These two facets are separated by the <strong>crest of the head</strong>.</p><h6>Neck</h6><p>The <strong>neck</strong> follows the head. It is a narrow portion of the rib found between the head and tubercle. </p><h6>Tubercle</h6><p>The <strong>tubercle</strong> is found immediately after the neck. It is a prominence on the outer surface of the rib. the tubercle contains a facet that articulates with the transverse process of the numerically corresponding <a href="/articles/typical-thoracic-vertebrae">vertebra</a>. This area is called the <strong>articular part</strong>. The <strong>non-articular part</strong> provides attachment for the costotransverse ligament.</p><h6>Shaft (or body)</h6><p>The lengthy <strong>shaft</strong> follows the tubercle. It is thin, flat and twisted on the long axis. The shaft bends anteriorly at the angle of the rib. The angle marks the lateral limit of the attachment of the deep muscles of the back to the ribs.</p><h6>Costal groove</h6><p>The inferior border contains a groove called the<strong> costal groove</strong>. The costal groove carries a vein, artery and nerve (mnemonic: VAN) in that order.</p><h5>Articulations</h5><h6>Vertebrae</h6><p>Ribs articulate with vertebra by two facets. The inferior facet articulates with the vertebra below. The superior facet articulates with the numerically corresponding vertebral body above.</p><p>The joint capsule is reinforced by the <strong>radiate ligament</strong>. This ligament has three bands. The upper band extends to the body of the vertebra above. The lower band extends to the vertebra below. The central band runs horizontally, deep to the anterior longitudinal ligament, into the intervertebral disc.</p><p>The tubercle articulates with the transverse process also by means of a synovial joint.</p><h6>Costochondral joint</h6><p>Every rib articulates with costal cartilage with a cartilaginous joint.</p><h6>Sternocostal and interchondral joints</h6><p>Costal cartilages 2 to 7 articulate by their own synovial joints to the lateral border of the <a href="/articles/sternum">sternum</a>.</p><p>Ribs 6 to 10 articulate with costal cartilages which then articulate with each other along their borders through small synovial joints.</p><h5>Attachments</h5><p>There are a number of muscles related to typical ribs.</p><h6>Intercostal muscles</h6><ul><li>the <a href="/articles/intercostal-muscles">intercostal muscles</a> are situated in the intercostal spaces. there are three main groups running superficial to deep:<ul>
-</li></ul><h6>Diaphragm</h6><ul><li>The <a href="/articles/diaphragm">diaphragm</a> rises from the inner surfaces of the costal cartilages on the sixth rib</li></ul><h6>Serratus anterior</h6><ul><li>The <a href="/articles/serratus-anterior">serratus anterior</a> muscles originate anterolaterally from ribs 1 to 8</li></ul><h6>Pectoralis</h6><ul><li>The <a href="/articles/pectoralis-major-1">pectoralis major</a> and <a href="/articles/pectoralis-minor">minor</a> muscles arise from superior anterior ribs</li></ul><h6>Latissimus dorsi</h6><ul><li>The <a href="/articles/latissimus-dorsi">latissimus dorsi</a> has origins in the 9th to 12th ribs</li></ul><h6>Scalene muscle group</h6><ul><li>-<a href="/articles/scalenus-anterior-muscle-1">Scalenus anterior</a>, <a href="/articles/scalenus-posterior-muscle">posterior</a> and <a href="/articles/scalenus-medius-muscle">medius</a> muscles have attachments in the first and second ribs</li></ul><h6>Rectus abdominis</h6><ul><li>The <a href="/articles/rectus-abdominis-muscle">rectus abdominis</a> inserts at the xiphisternum and 5th to 7th costal cartilages</li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>In frontal chest radiographs, 12 pairs of symmetric ribs should be visible. Typical ribs specifically demonstrate a flanged inferior cortex where the costal groove runs.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><ul>-<li><a href="/articles/rib-fractures">Rib fracture</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/buckle-rib-fracture">Buckle rib fracture</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/flail-chest">Flail chest</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/fetal-rib-fractures">Fetal rib fracture</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/radiation-induced-rib-fracture-2">Radiation induced rib fracture</a></li>- +</li></ul><h6>Diaphragm</h6><ul><li>the <a href="/articles/diaphragm">diaphragm</a> rises from the inner surfaces of the costal cartilages on the sixth rib</li></ul><h6>Serratus anterior</h6><ul><li>the <a href="/articles/serratus-anterior">serratus anterior</a> muscles originate anterolaterally from ribs 1 to 8</li></ul><h6>Pectoralis</h6><ul><li>the <a href="/articles/pectoralis-major-1">pectoralis major</a> and <a href="/articles/pectoralis-minor">minor</a> muscles arise from superior anterior ribs</li></ul><h6>Latissimus dorsi</h6><ul><li>the <a href="/articles/latissimus-dorsi">latissimus dorsi</a> has origins in the 9th to 12th ribs</li></ul><h6>Scalene muscle group</h6><ul><li>
- +<a href="/articles/scalenus-anterior-muscle-1">scalenus anterior</a>, <a href="/articles/scalenus-posterior-muscle">posterior</a> and <a href="/articles/scalenus-medius-muscle">medius</a> muscles have attachments in the first and second ribs</li></ul><h6>Rectus abdominis</h6><ul><li>the <a href="/articles/rectus-abdominis-muscle">rectus abdominis</a> inserts at the xiphisternum and 5th to 7th costal cartilages</li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>In frontal chest radiographs, 12 pairs of symmetric ribs should be visible. Typical ribs specifically demonstrate a flanged inferior cortex where the costal groove runs.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><ul>
- +<li><a href="/articles/rib-fractures">rib fracture</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/buckle-rib-fracture">buckle rib fracture</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/flail-chest">flail chest</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/fetal-rib-fractures">fetal rib fracture</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/radiation-induced-rib-fracture-2">radiation induced rib fracture</a></li>