Generality
The ribs, or ribs, are the 24 tapered and curved bones of the thoracic cage which, starting from the thoracic vertebrae, project almost to the anterior area of the thorax.
Arranged in pairs, some of them join the sternum by means of the costal cartilages (first seven pairs); others connect to the costal cartilages of the immediately superior ones (8th, 9th and 10th pair); other anchors are free or "floating" (the last two pairs, the 11th and 12th).
The main function of the ribs is to protect vital organs (such as the heart and lungs) and large blood vessels (such as aorta and hollow veins), located within the thoracic cavity.
What are the ribs?
The ribs, or ribs, are the ribbon-like and arched bones that make up the lateral portions of the rib cage.
The latter is an osteo-cartilage complex, which, in addition to the ribs, also includes:
- The 12 thoracic vertebrae, posteriorly
- A bone called the breastbone, anteriorly
- The costal cartilages, always anteriorly
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