Did you know that human ribs are connected to the sternum by cartilage? Or that the last rib in humans is called a floating rib? If not, then this blog post will be sure to provide you with some fascinating facts about human ribs anatomy! The human rib cage is a defining characteristic of the anatomy of humans. Aside from it, an extra rib is actually an abnormality. Ribs are essential for protecting and supporting the heart, lungs, and other internal organs. Let’s check out these hidden facts about human ribs below.
The First Seven Sets of Ribs Are Called True Ribs
The human body has 24 ribs that contain: 12 true (vertebrosternal) pairs and one set, which is called the false ribs. The first seven ribs are vertebral because they connect to a cartilage-covered sternum through their costal cartilages.
At the same time, the last three pairs do not possess any connection with it due to the lack of this specific feature. The previous three sets of ribs are false, floating, or vertebral ribs. These do not connect directly to the sternum and can often be felt like a series of small bumps along the lower border of the rib cage.
Ribs Can Be Categorized Into Two Groups, Fixed and Movable Ribs
Human ribs differ into two categories: fixed and movable. The fixed ribs are flat, broad, and curved bones that form the rib cage. The lower eight ribs attach directly to either side of the sternum through their costal cartilage. On the other hand, movable ribs are longer than fixed ones because they do not connect with any bone when placed in front of them like humans (i.e., the 12th rib). Instead, they articulate with the vertebrae and can move up and down.
Ribs Serve as Protection for Vital Organs
Ribs are essential for protecting and supporting the heart, lungs, and other internal organs. The curved shape of ribs also allows them to keep muscles that surround the chest cavity and those in your neck – these include sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) and trapezius muscle. Rib bones can develop into two main types of bone tissue: compact and spongy. The rib’s compact bone is very dense, while the outer layer of its permeable section contains red blood cells for carrying oxygen to the lungs.
The Rib Cage Is an Important Feature in Human Anatomy
Besides protecting vital organs such as the heart and lungs, the rib cage is also critical for human movement. It serves as a scaffold for the muscles of the upper body, helping us move our arms and hands. The rib cage also allows us to breathe by increasing the space available for the lungs to expand. Interestingly, women’s rib cages are typically narrower than men due to their differing chest shapes and sizes.
In summary, human ribs are connected to the sternum through cartilage. The last rib is called a floating rib, and it does not fuse with any bone when placed in front of them like in humans (i.e., the 12th rib). Additionally, human ribs can be categorized into two groups: fixed and movable. They serve as protection for vital organs in the human body.…