The ribs

Question 1

what are ribs? what do they form?

Answer 1

The ribs are a set of twelve bones which form the protective ‘cage’ of the thorax

Question 2

what do ribs articulate with posteriorly and anteriorly?

Answer 2

They articulate with the vertebral column posteriorly, and terminate anteriorly as cartilage

Question 3

what is the anterior terminate cartilage of ribs called?

Answer 3

costal cartilage

Question 4

what do the ribs protect?

Answer 4

As part of the bony thorax, the ribs protect the internal thoracic organs

Question 5

what is the other role of thorax aside from protection?

Answer 5

They also have a role in breathing – during chest expansion the ribcage moves to permit lung inflation

Question 6

how many classification of ribs are there? what are they?

Answer 6

There are two classifications of ribs – atypical and typical

Question 7

what is typical rib?

Answer 7

The typical ribs have a generalised structure

Question 8

what is atypical rib?

Answer 8

atypical ribs have variations on this structure

Question 9

what do typical ribs consist of?

Answer 9

head, neck, tubercle, shaft

Question 10

what shape is the head of the typical rib? what does it have?

Answer 10

The head is wedge shaped, and has two articular facets

Question 11

what are the 2 articular facets separated by?

Answer 11

separated by a wedge of bone

Question 12

what do the 2 articular facets articulate with?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

what does the neck of the rib connect?

Answer 13

The neck contains no bony prominences, but simply connects the head with the body

Question 14

what is present at the point where the neck meets the body of typical rib?

Answer 14

there is a roughed tubercle, with a facet for articulation with the transverse process of the corresponding vertebrae

Question 15

what is the structure of the body (shaft) of the rib?

Answer 15

flat and curved

Question 16

what does the internal surface of the shaft contain? function?

Answer 16

The internal surface of the shaft has a groove for the neurovascular supply of the thorax, protecting the vessels and nerves from damage

Question 17

which ribs are described as ‘atypical’? why?

Answer 17

Ribs 1, 2, 10 11 and 12 – they have features that are not common to all the ribs

Question 18

why is rib 1 an atypical rib?

Answer 18

Rib 1 is shorter and wider than the other ribs. It only has one facet on its head for articulation with its corresponding vertebrae (there isn’t a thoracic vertebrae above it). The superior surface is marked by two grooves, which make way for the subclavian vessels

Question 19

why is rib 2 an atypical rib?

Answer 19

Rib 2 is thinner and longer than rib 1, and has two articular facets on the head as normal. It has a roughened area on its upper surface

Question 20

what attaches to the roughened area on the upper surface of rib 2?

Answer 20

serratus anterior muscle

Question 21

why is rib 10 an atypical rib?

Answer 21

Rib 10 only has one facet

Question 22

what is the facet on rib 10 for?

Answer 22

articulation with its numerically corresponding vertebrae

Question 23

why are ribs 11 and 12 atypical ribs?

Answer 23

Ribs 11 and 12 have no neck

Question 24

what is the facet on ribs 11 and 12 for?

Answer 24

articulation with their corresponding vertebrae

Question 25

what do the majority of ribs have

Answer 25

an anterior and posterior articulation

Question 26

what do all 12 ribs articulate posteriorly with?

Answer 26

the vertebrae of the spine

Question 27

how many joints does each rib form? what are they?

Answer 27

2:
costotransverse joint
costovertebral joint

Question 28

what is the articulation of the costotransverse joint between?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

what is the articulation of the costovertebral joint between?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

what is the anterior attachment of the ribs?

Answer 30

they vary

Question 31

what do ribs 1-7 attach to anteriorly?

Answer 31

attach independently to the sternum

Question 32

what do ribs 8-10 attach to anteriorly?

Answer 32

the costal cartilages superior to them

Question 33

what do ribs 11-12 attach to anteriorly?

Answer 33

Ribs 11 and 12 do not have an anterior attachment and end in the abdominal musculature. Because of this, they are sometimes called ‘floating ribs’

Question 34

where do rib fractures most commonly occur in?

Answer 34

in the middle ribs

Question 35

why do rib fractures normally occur?

Answer 35

as a consequence of crushing injuries or direct trauma

Question 36

what is a common complication of a rib fracture?

Answer 36

further soft tissue injury from the broken fragments

Question 37

which structures most at risk of damage in a rib fracture?

Answer 37

the lungs, spleen or diaphragm

Question 38

what happens if more than 1 rib is fractured?

Answer 38

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

Question 39

what happens if the affected area is no longer under control of the thoracic muscles?

Answer 39

It displays a paradoxical movement during lung inflation and deflation

Question 40

what is paradoxical movement during lung inflation and deflation known as?

Answer 40

flail chest

Question 41

what does flail chest impair?

Answer 41

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

Question 42

how is flail chest treated?

Answer 42

by fixing the affected ribs, preventing their paradoxical movement