neck
Last reviewed 01/2018
The neck of a rib describes the region lying between the head and tubercle:
- thinner than the head
- in the anatomical position, projects posterolaterally from head to tubercle
- situated anterior to the corresponding thoracic vertebra
- sharp superior margin, the 'crest of neck'
- inferior margin is more rounded
- has attachments for 2 ligaments:
- superior costotransverse ligament; from the crest of the neck
- costotransverse ligament; from the posterior surface of the neck
- relations:
- anteriorly: pleura
- posteriorly: transverse process of corresponding thoracic vertebra