general structure
Last reviewed 01/2018
The 'typical' ribs, 2-10, have all the general features described below. Occasionally, ribs 2 and 10 may show atypical features. The atypical ribs are 1, 11 and 12.
General features include:
- head
- neck
- tubercle
- angle
- shaft
- costal groove
- anterior end
- rib junctions
General trends include:
- the tubercle to angle distance increases from superior to inferior ribs
- the upper six ribs are tightly curved to bend 180 degrees from vertebra to sternum. The lower six ribs have a less pronounced curve that requires them, if they have costal cartilages, to extend them for relatively longer
- ribs 1-6 and 10-12 are relatively flat whereas the group between show a more pronounced angulation between neck and shaft