Session 1.1e - TeachMeAnatomy - Bones of the Thorax - Ribs

Question 1

What are the ribs?

Answer 1

A set of twelve bones which form the protective ‘cage’ of the THORAX.

Question 2

What do the ribs articulate with?

Answer 2

The vertebral column posteriorly

Question 3

How do the ribs terminate?

Answer 3

They terminate anteriorly as cartilage (costal cartilage)

Question 4

What is the function of the ribs?

Answer 4

• Protection

- Breathing

Question 5

What do the ribs protect?

Answer 5

As part of the bony thorax, they protect the internal thoracic organs.

Question 6

When does the ribcage move?

Answer 6

During CHEST EXPANSION in breathing

Question 7

Why does the ribcage move?

Answer 7

To permit lung inflation during breathing

Question 8

What are the two classifications of ribs?

Answer 8

Atypical

Typical

Question 9

What is different between the two classifications of ribs?

Answer 9

The typical ribs have a generalised structure, while the atypical ribs have variations on this structure.

Question 10

What do the typical ribs consist of?

Answer 10

A head, neck and body.

Question 11

What shape is the head of a typical rib?

Answer 11

Wedge-shaped

Question 12

Describe the structure of the head of a typical rib.

Answer 12

It has two articular facets separated by a wedge of bone.

Question 13

What do the facets on the head of a typical rib articulate with?

Answer 13

One facet articulates with the numerically corresponding vertebrae, and the other articulates with the vertebrae above.

Question 14

Describe the structure of the neck of a typical rib.

Answer 14

It contains no bony prominences.

Question 15

What is the function of the neck of a typical rib?

Answer 15

It connects the head with the body.

Question 16

What do you find when the neck meets the body (head?) of a typical rib?

Answer 16

A roughed tubercle

Question 17

What do you find on the roughed tubercle of the neck of a typical rib?

Answer 17

A facet for articulation with the transverse process of the corresponding vertebrae.

Question 18

What does the transverse process of the corresponding vertebrae articulate with?

Answer 18

The roughed tubercle on the neck, near the head, of a typical rib.

Question 19

What is the body of a typical rib sometimes known as?

Answer 19

The SHAFT.

Question 20

Describe the structure of the body/shaft of a typical rib.

Answer 20

It is flat and curved.

Question 21

What does the body/shaft of a typical rib have?

Answer 21

The internal surface of the shaft has a groove.

Question 22

What is the groove on the body/shaft of a typical rib for?

Answer 22

The neurovascular supply of the thorax

Question 23

Why does the neurovascular supply run in the costal groove of the body of a typical rib?

Answer 23

To protect the vessels and nerves from damage.

Question 24

Which ribs are atypical?

Answer 24

Ribs 1, 2, 10, 11 and 12.

Question 25

Why are atypical ribs so named?

Answer 25

They have features that are not common to all ribs.

Question 26

Describe rib 1 in comparison to other ribs.

Answer 26

It is shorter and wider than the other ribs.

Question 27

Describe the head of rib 1.

Answer 27

It only has one facet on its head for articulation with its corresponding vertebrae.

Question 28

Why is the structure of the head of rib 1 slightly different to other ribs?

Answer 28

It only has one facet, rather than two, for articulation with its corresponding vertebrae, because there isn't a thoracic vertebrae above it.

Question 29

What is significant about the superior surface of rib 1?

Answer 29

It is marked by two grooves, which make way for the subclavian vessels.

Question 30

Where and what function are the two grooves on rib 1 found/for?

Answer 30

On the superior surface, to make way for the subclavian vessels.

Question 31

Describe rib 2 in comparison to rib 1.

Answer 31

Rib 2 is thinner and longer than rib 1.

Question 32

Describe the head of rib 2.

Answer 32

it has two articular facets on the head as normal.

Question 33

What is significant about the upper surface of rib 2?

Answer 33

It has a roughened area

Question 34

Why does rib 2 have a roughened area on its upper surface?

Answer 34

It is where the serratus anterior muscle attaches.

Question 35

What is atypical about rib 10?

Answer 35

It only has one facet - for articulation with its numerically corresponding vertebrae?

Question 36

Which ribs contain no neck?

Answer 36

Ribs 11 and 12

Question 37

Describe the structure of ribs 11 and 12.

Answer 37

They have no neck, and only contain one facet, which is for articulation with their corresponding vertebrae.

Question 38

Which ribs only contain one facet?

Answer 38

Ribs 1, 10, 11 and 12. | This is for articulation with their corresponding vertebrae.

Question 39

Describe the atypical ribs.

Answer 39

Ribs 1, 10, 11 and 12 only have one facet for articulation with their corresponding vertebrae. Ribs 1, 2 have grooves/areas on their superior surface, for subclavian vessels/serratus anterior respectively. Ribs 11, 12 have no neck.

Question 40

The majority of the ribs have an ________ and _________ articulation.

Answer 40

Anterior and posterior

Question 41

What do the ribs articulate with posteriorly?

Answer 41

With the VERTEBRAE of the spine

Question 42

Which ribs articulate posteriorly with the vertebrae of the spine?

Answer 42

All twelve

Question 43

Each ribs forms ___ joints. Name them.

Answer 43

two COSTOTRANSVERSE JOINT COSTOVERTEBRAL JOINT

Question 44

Where is the costotransverse joint?

Answer 44

Between the tubercle of the rib and the transverse costal facet of the corresponding vertebrae.

Question 45

Where is the costovertebral joint?

Answer 45

Between the head of the rib, superior costal facet of the corresponding vertebrae, and the inferior costal facet of the vertebrae above.

Question 46

What are the anterior attachments of ribs 1-7?

Answer 46

These attach independently to the sternum

Question 47

What are the anterior attachments of ribs 8-10?

Answer 47

These attach to the costal cartilages superior to them

Question 48

What are the anterior attachments of ribs 11-12?

Answer 48

These do not have an anterior attachment and end in the abdominal musculature. because of this, they are sometimes called 'floating ribs'.

Question 49

Which ribs are the 'floating ribs' and why are they so-named?

Answer 49

Ribs 11 and 12, because they do not have an anterior attachment and instead end in abdominal musculature.

Question 50

(Clinical Relevance: Rib Fractures) Where do rib fractures most commonly occur?

Answer 50

In the middle ribs

Question 51

(Clinical Relevance: Rib Fractures) How did rib fractures normally occur?

Answer 51

As a consequence of CRUSHING injuries or direct trauma.

Question 52

(Clinical Relevance: Rib Fractures) What is a common complication of a rib fracture?

Answer 52

Further SOFT TISSUE INJURY.

Question 53

(Clinical Relevance: Rib Fractures) How can further soft tissue injury occur in rib fractures?

Answer 53

From the broken fragments.

Question 54

(Clinical Relevance: Rib Fractures) What structures are most at risk of damage in a rib fracture?

Answer 54

Lungs Spleen Diaphragm

Question 55

(Clinical Relevance: Rib Fractures) What happens to the muscles if two or more fractures occur in two or more adjacent ribs?

Answer 55

The affected area is no longer under control of the thoracic muscles.

Question 56

(Clinical Relevance: Rib Fractures) Under what situation is the lung not under control of the thoracic muscles?

Answer 56

If two or more fractures occur in two or more adjacent ribs.

Question 57

(Clinical Relevance: Rib Fractures) What movement occurs when 2+ fractures occur in 2+ adjacent ribs?

Answer 57

A paradoxical movement during lung inflation and deflation.

Question 58

(Clinical Relevance: Rib Fractures) What is it called when an injured area is no longer under control of the thoracic muscles, due to 2+ fractures in 2+ adjacent ribs (multiple fractures in multiple ribs), so the area moves independently (paradoxically during lung inflation and deflation)?

Answer 58

Flail chest

Question 59

(Clinical Relevance: Rib Fractures) What is flail chest?

Answer 59

When a patient suffers multiple fractures in multiple ribs, so the injured area is no longer under thoracic control, and thus moves independently and paradoxically during breathing.

Question 60

(Clinical Relevance: Rib Fractures) What problems occur physiologically in a patient with flail chest?

Answer 60

It impairs full expansion of the ribcage, thus affecting the oxygen content of the blood.

Question 61

(Clinical Relevance: Rib Fractures) How is flail chest treated?

Answer 61

By fixing the affected ribs, preventing their paradoxical movement.

Question 62

Fig. 1 Label the key and caption

Answer 62

- Ribs - Costal cartilage - Sternum Overview of the ribs and costal cartilage.

Question 63

Fig. 2 Label the image and caption

Answer 63

- ARTICULAR FACET: Articulates with the vertebrae above - ARTICULAR FACET: Articulates with numerically corresponding vertebrae (correctly labelled) - TUBERCLE: Articulates with numerically corresponding vertebrae - COSTAL GROOVE: For intercostal vein, artery and nerve The bony landmarks of a typical rib.

Question 64

Fig. 3 Label the image and caption

Answer 64

- Costovertebral joint - Costotransverse joint (Correctly labelled) Articulations between a rib and its numerically corresponding vertebrae.

Question 65

Fig. 4 Explain what this x-ray is showing.

Answer 65

Radiograph of multiple fractured ribs, producing 'flail chest'

Question 66

Which option correctly describe the contents of the costal groove? A. Intercostal artery B. Intercostal vein C. Intercostal nerve D. All of the above

Answer 66

D. All of the above The intercostal artery, vein and nerve all run in the costal groove.

Question 67

Which part of the vertebrae does the tubercle of each rib articulate with? A. Spinous process B. Superior costal facet C. Inferior costal facet D. Transverse process

Answer 67

D. Transverse process The tubercle is located at the neck of each rib, and articulates with the transverse process of the numerically corresponding vertebrae

Question 68

Which statement below correctly describes a feature of the second rib? A. It only has one articular facet B. It has no neck C. It has a roughened area for attachment of the serratus anterior D. It is marked by the subclavian vessels

Answer 68

C. It has a roughened area for attachment of the serratus anterior Rib 2 is marked by a roughened area on its upper surface for the attachment of the serratus anterior