How many ribs does a person have and what is their structure? Diseases associated with them and their treatment. The structure of the sternum, ribs. Classification of ribs How are human ribs and lungs counted?

The rib has bone and cartilage parts. Twelve pairs of ribs are conditionally divided into two groups: I-VII pairs- true ribs (costae verae), fused to the sternum, VIII-XII ribs - false (costae spuriae). The anterior ends of the false ribs are secured by cartilage or soft tissue. XI-XII fluctuating ribs (costae fluctuantes) with their anterior ends freely lying in the soft tissues abdominal wall. Each rib has the shape of a spiral plate. How more curvature ribs, the more mobile the chest. The curvature of the ribs depends on gender and age. The posterior end of the rib is represented by a head (capitulum costae) with an articular platform divided by a ridge (crista costalis medialis). The 1st, 11th, and 12th ribs do not have a scallop, since the head of the rib fits into the full fossa of the corresponding vertebra. Anterior to the head of the rib, its neck (collum costae) begins. On the posterior surface near the neck of the rib there is a tubercle (tuberculum costae) with an articular platform. Closer to the anterior end of the rib, 6-7 cm away from the costal tubercle, there is an angle (angulus costae), from which a groove (sulcus costae) runs along the lower edge of the rib (Fig. 43).

The first ribs have a structural feature: upper and lower surfaces, outer and inner edges.

The ribs are positioned in such a way that the upper edge faces the chest cavity, and the outer surface faces upward. They have no costal grooves. On the upper surface of the ribs there is a scalariform tubercle, in front of which there is a groove - the place of contact subclavian vein, behind it is a groove for the subclavian artery.

Development. The ribs are laid together with the vertebrae. The rudiments of the ribs along the myosepta (intermuscular septa) extend to the periphery. They reach significant development in the thoracic region of the body; in other parts of the spine, the costal rudiments are rudimentary. In the cartilaginous rib in the area of ​​the angle in the 2nd month, a bone core appears, which increases towards the neck and head, as well as its anterior end. In the prepubertal period, additional ossification nuclei appear in the heads and tubercles of the ribs, synostosizing with the ribs by 20-22 years.

Anomalies. In the cervical and lumbar spine there are additional ribs, which is an atavism of development (Fig. 44). Many mammals have more ribs than humans.

Radiographs of the ribs

X-ray photographs of the ribs are taken for overview and targeting. On a survey radiograph in the anterior projection, even in an adult, it is possible to obtain an image of all the ribs of the chest or half of it. Based on the position of the heart and aortic arch, it is easy to determine the right and left halves of the chest. In the anterior projection, the posterior ends of the ribs are clearly visible, connected by joints to the vertebrae, oriented downward and laterally. The head, neck and tubercles of the rib are layered on the shadow of the vertebral body and transverse processes. The edges of the ribs and their contours are smooth, somewhat more compact than the middle, with the exception of the posterior part of the VI-IX ribs, where the lower contour is convex and wavy. In the photograph in the anterior projection, clearer contours of the anterior ends of the ribs are visible, in the posterior projection - the posterior ends. On a lateral image, in a lateral projection, as a rule, there is a clear image of the ribs facing the film. In this projection, the body of the rib is better visible, the image of which is distorted in the image in the rear or anterior projection. An electroradiogram of the chest makes it possible to obtain clearer contours of the ribs.

It is difficult to determine the area, projection and number of ribs on a targeted photograph. In this case, the area being photographed is indicated by a contrast mark.

On x-rays in children, bone material is observed in the body of the rib. Bone points in the heads and tubercles are detected after 15-20 years. They grow together with bony body ribs by 20-25 years.

The skeleton of the body (Fig. 11) consists of the spinal column, the chest and is part of the axial skeleton.

Rice. eleven.
1 - skull; 2 - spinal column; 3 - collarbone; 4 - edge; 5 - sternum; 6- brachial bone; 7- radius; 8- elbow bone; 9- wrist bones; 10- metacarpal bones; 11- phalanges of fingers; 12- ilium; 13 - sacrum; 14 - pubic bone; /5 - ischium; 16 - femur; 17- patella; 18 - tibia; 19- fibula; 20- tarsal bones; 21- metatarsals; 22 - phalanges of the toes

Vertebrae in different departments the spinal column have not only common features and structure, but also characteristics associated with the vertical position of a person.
Vertebra(vertebra) consists of a body (corpus vertebrae) and an arch (arcus vertebrae), which, when closed, forms the vertebral foramen (foramen vertebrale). When all vertebrae are connected, a spinal canal(canalis vertebralis), in which the spinal cord is located. Two upper and two lower articular processes, the right and left transverse processes, extend from the vertebral arch. From behind, by midline, the spinous process departs. At the junction of the arch and the vertebral body there are the superior and inferior vertebral notches, which when connecting the vertebrae form an intervertebral foramen(foramen intervertebrale). Pass through this hole blood vessels and spinal nerve.
Cervical vertebrae(vertebrae cervicales) differ from the vertebrae of other sections (Fig. 12). Their bodies are small in size and elliptical in shape. Their main difference is the presence of an opening for the transverse process. The first two vertebrae are involved in the movement of the head and are connected to the skull (this is why they differ from other cervical vertebrae).

Figure 12.
1 - superior articular process; 2 - vertebral arch; 3 - vertebral foramen; 4 - spinous process; 5 - vertebral arch plate 6- inferior articular process; 7-posterior tubercle; 8- spinal nerve groove; 9 - foramen of the transverse process; 10- anterior tubercle; 11- vertebral body; 12 - body hook; 13- transverse process

Under the influence of increasing load, the bodies of the cervical vertebrae increase from the III to the VII vertebrae. The spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae are bifurcated, except for VII, which is much longer than the others and can be easily felt under the skin. The anterior tubercle of the VI cervical vertebra is better developed than in other vertebrae. Passes close to him carotid artery that's why it's called sleepy tubercle. To temporarily stop bleeding, the carotid artery is clamped at this point.
(vertebrae thoracicae) are larger than the cervical ones (Fig. 13). Their vertebral opening is somewhat smaller than that of the cervical ones; on the lateral surfaces of the body there are upper and lower costal fossae, which are necessary for the formation of joints with the heads of the ribs. The height of the thoracic vertebral bodies (from I to XII) gradually increases. The spinous processes are somewhat longer, directed posteriorly and downward, overlap in a tiled manner and limit the mobility of this part of the spine (especially extension).

Rice. 13.
1 - pedicle of the vertebral arch; 2- superior vertebral notch; 3, 7- transverse process; 4- superior articular process; 5,9- upper costal fossa; 6- spinal canal; 8 - spinous process; 10- costal fossa of the transverse process; 11 - lower articular process; 12- inferior vertebral notch; 13, 14- lower costal fossa; 15 - vertebral body

Lumbar vertebrae(vertebrae lumbales) have a more massive body than other vertebrae (Fig. 14).

Rice. 14.
1 - spinous process; 2 - superior articular process; 3 - costal process; 4 - vertebral arch; 5 - vertebral foramen; 6- vertebral arch pedicle; 7- vertebral body; 8- accessory process; 9 - mastoid
The lumbar vertebral body is bean-shaped, cross dimension it is more anteroposterior. The body of the V lumbar vertebra is the largest in height and width. The spinous processes are massive and directed backward almost horizontally, and the articular processes are directed sagittally. This gives significant mobility to the lumbar spine. The vertebral foramen, which is larger than in other sections, triangular shape, with rounded edges.
Sacral vertebrae(vertebrae sacrales), connecting with each other, form a single bone - sacrum (os sacrum). The sacrum (Fig. 15) has the shape of a triangle, the base of which is connected to the V lumbar vertebra, and the apex is directed downward and forward.

Rice. 15.
1 - base of the sacrum; 2 - superior articular process; 3 - anterior surface of the sacrum; 4 - transverse lines; 5- apex of the sacrum; b- anterior sacral foramina; 7- cape; 8 - lateral part

On the concave anterior pelvic surface there are four transverse lines, which are traces of fusion of the sacral vertebral bodies. On the convex (dorsal) surface, the longitudinal sacral ridges are well defined.

neither (median, intermediate and lateral). On both sides of the surfaces of the sacrum there are four pairs of sacral foramina, through which branches emerge from the sacral canal spinal nerves. The massive lateral parts have an ear-shaped surface designed to connect with the corresponding articular surfaces pelvic bones. The junction of the sacrum with the V lumbar vertebra is a protrusion directed forward - cape(promontorium). The tip of the sacrum connects to the coccyx.
Coccyx(os coccygis) consists of 1-5 (usually 4) fused rudimentary vertebrae vertebrae coccygeae (Fig. 16). It has the shape of a triangle, curved forward, its base is directed forward and upward, its apex is directed downward and forward. Some signs of the vertebra are observed only in the first coccygeal vertebra, the rest are much smaller in size and rounded.

Fig 16
1- coccyx; 2-coccygeal horn

Edge(costa), 12 pairs, consists of a long posterior bony part and a short middle cartilaginous part (costal cartilage). Seven pairs of upper ribs (I-VII) are connected to the sternum by cartilaginous parts and are called true. The cartilages of the VIII, IX, X pairs of ribs are connected not to the sternum, but to the cartilage of the overlying rib; such ribs are called false. Ribs XI and XII have short cartilaginous parts that end in the muscles of the abdominal wall. They are more mobile and are called hesitant.
A rib has a head, body and neck. Between the neck and body in the upper 10 pairs of ribs there is tubercle, ribs. The rib has an inner and outer surface, an upper and lower edge. On inner surface ribs along its lower edge are furrow - the place where the intercostal vessels and nerve pass. On the outer surface of the rib, between the body and the neck of the rib, there is a tubercle of the rib, the articular surface of which articulates with the transverse process of the vertebra.
The ribs vary in shape and size (Fig. 17, 18). The shortest are the two upper and two lower ribs. The first rib lies horizontally, on its upper surface there is a small tubercle for attachment of the anterior scalene muscle and two grooves: the anterior one for the subclavian vein, the posterior one for the subclavian artery.

Rice. 18.
1 - articular surface of the rib head; 2 - articular surface of the tubercle of the rib;
3 - rib tubercle; 4 - rib neck; 5 - rib angle; 6 - rib body

Sternum(sternum) is an oblong flat bone that consists of three parts: the manubrium, the body and the xiphoid process. In adults, all parts fuse into a single bone. On the upper edge of the manubrium of the sternum there are the jugular notch and paired clavicular notches. On the anterior surface of the body of the sternum and along its edges lie the costal notches.
The xiphoid process can have different shapes and sizes, and is sometimes bifurcated.
columns vertebralis) performs a supporting function, connects parts of the human body, and also performs protective function For spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves emerging from the spinal column. The human spinal column consists of 33-34 vertebrae. The last 6-9 vertebrae fuse and form the sacrum and coccyx (Fig. 19).
There are five sections in the spine: cervical - consists of 7 vertebrae; chest - out of 12; lumbar - out of 5; sacral - of 5 and coccygeal - of 2-5 vertebrae.
The human spinal column is characterized by the presence of curves. A bend directed convexly forward is called lordosis(cervical and lumbar), and the bend, directed by the convexity backwards, is kyphosis(thoracic and sacral). At the site of transition of cervical lordosis into thoracic kyphosis there is a protruding VII cervical vertebra. On the border lumbar lordosis with sacral kyphosis, a forward-facing promontory of the sacrum. The curves of the spinal column (lordosis and kyphosis) perform spring and shock-absorbing functions when walking, running and jumping. As a result of a violation of symmetry in the development of muscle mass of the human body, a pathological (lateral) bend also appears - scoliosis.

Rice. 19.
1 - cervical vertebrae; 2 - thoracic vertebrae; 3 - lumbar vertebrae; 4- sacrum; 5- coccyx

Rib cage(compages thoracis) is formed with the help of thoracic spine, ribs, sternum and joints, limits chest cavity, where the main human organs are located: heart, lungs, blood vessels, trachea, esophagus and nerves (Fig. 20).

Rice. 20. Thorax skeleton (front view):
1 - upper aperture of the chest; 2 - jugular notch; 3 - ribs (1-12); 4 - first rib; 5, 16 - second rib; 6 - manubrium of the sternum; 7 - body of the sternum; 8- articulation between the body of the sternum and the xiphoid process; 9- xiphoid process; 10- oscillating ribs (11-12); 11- false ribs (8-12); 12- thoracic vertebra; 13 - inferior thoracic outlet; 14- sternum; 15- true ribs (1-7); 17- clavicular notch

The shape of the chest depends on gender, body type, physical development, age.
In the chest there are upper and lower openings (apertures). The superior opening is bounded posteriorly by the body of the first thoracic vertebra, laterally by the first ribs, and anteriorly by the manubrium of the sternum. Through it, the apex of the lung protrudes into the neck area, and the esophagus, trachea, vessels and nerves also pass through: The lower aperture is larger than the upper one, it is limited by the body of the XII thoracic vertebra, the XI, XII ribs and costal arches, the xiphoid process and is closed by the thoraco-abdominal barrier - diaphragm.
The human chest is somewhat compressed, its anteroposterior size is significantly smaller than the transverse one. The shape of the chest is influenced by rickets, respiratory diseases, etc.

Classification of edges: there are three groups of them - the top seven pairs are true, the next three pairs are false, the last two pairs are oscillating. This division is due to the different position of the costal cartilages in relation to the sternum. The cartilages of the true ribs are connected to the sternum, the cartilage of each false rib fuses with the cartilage of the overlying rib. As a result, a costal arch is formed. The XI and XII ribs end in soft tissue.

The sternum (sternum) is a spongy bone, consisting of three parts: the manubrium, the body and the xiphoid process. Ossification of the cartilage between the manubrium and the body of the sternum is completed by the age of 30-40. Along the edges of the manubrium of the sternum there are notches for connection with the clavicle and the first rib. At the border of the manubrium and the body of the sternum on both sides there is a notch for connection with the 2nd rib. Along the edges of the body of the sternum there are notches for connection with the remaining true ribs.

Bone structure brain section skulls

The skull (cranium) or skeleton of the head is divided into two sections according to function and structure: the brain and the facial.

The bones of the medulla of the skull form a container for the brain and some sensory organs.

  • 1) The occipital bone (os occipitale) is unpaired, located in the posterior lower part of the skull. It is formed from 4 bones: the basilar (main), two lateral and occipital scales (they surround the foramen magnum), after 3-6 years they merge and a monolithic occipital bone is formed.
  • 2) The parietal bone (os parietale) is paired, has the appearance of a quadrangular plate, convex outward. There are four edges and four corners. Both parietal bones are connected by a serrated suture (sagittal suture). Posterior edges of the parietal bones at connection with the scales occipital bone, form a lambdoid suture. When connected to the frontal bone, a coronal suture is formed. On the outer surface of each parietal bone there is a parietal tubercle. On the inner surface there are arterial grooves, and along the midline both parietal bones form a groove of the superior sagittal sinus, this groove passes to the frontal and occipital bones.
  • 3) The frontal bone (os frontale) is unpaired; four parts are distinguished in it: the frontal scales, the nasal and two orbital parts.
  • 4) The temporal bone (os temporale) is paired, consists of three parts: the pyramid ( rocky part), tympanic and scaly parts; These parts completely grow together by 3-7 years. The pyramid has three surfaces: front, back and bottom. The apex of the pyramid is directed inward and forward, and the base of the pyramid passes into the mastoid process. On the anterior surface of the pyramid there is a trigeminal depression (for the node trigeminal nerve) and an arcuate elevation. Between this elevation and the scaly part is the roof of the tympanic cavity (middle ear cavity). On the back surface of the pyramid there is an internal auditory opening, it leads to the internal ear canal. The facial and vestibulocochlear nerves pass through it. On the lower surface of the pyramid is the external opening of the carotid canal, through which the internal carotid artery passes. The carotid canal opens at the apex of the pyramid with an internal opening. A thin styloid process extends from the lower surface of the pyramid. A muscular-tubal canal passes between the pyramid and the scaly part of the temporal bone; it leads to the tympanic cavity.
  • 5) The sphenoid bone (os sphenoidale) is unpaired, located in the center of the base of the skull. middle part The bone is called the body; three paired processes extend from it: large wings, small wings and pterygoid processes. There is a cavity inside the body - the sphenoid sinus, it is divided into two parts. The cavity communicates with the nasal cavity. The upper surface of the body has a depression in the center - the sella turcica; at its bottom there is a pituitary fossa. The carotid grooves run along the sides of the sella; they contain the right and left internal carotid arteries.

There are 12 ribs on each side. All of them are connected with the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae by their posterior ends. The anterior ends of the 7 upper ribs connect directly to the sternum. This true ribs, costae verae . The next three ribs (VIII, IX and X), joining with their cartilages not to the sternum, but to the cartilage of the previous rib, are called false ribs, costae spuriae. Ribs XI and XII lie freely at their anterior ends - fluctuating ribs, costae fluctuantes.

Ribs, costae, represent narrow curved plates, consisting in their rear, longest, part of bones, os costale, related to long spongy bones, and in the front, shorter, of cartilage, cartilago costalis . On each bony rib, the posterior and anterior ends are distinguished, and between them rib body, corpus costae . The posterior end has a thickening, rib head, caput costae, with an articular surface divided by a ridge, through which the rib articulates with the vertebral bodies.

In the 1st, 11th and 12th ribs, the articular surface is not divided by a ridge. The head is followed by a narrowed part - neck of the rib, collum costae, on the upper edge of which there is longitudinal comb, crista colli costae , absent from the first and last rib. At the junction of the neck and the body of the rib there is rib tubercle, tuberculum costae , with an articular surface for articulation with the articular surface of the transverse process of the corresponding vertebra. There is no tubercle on the XI and XII ribs, since these ribs do not articulate with the transverse processes of the last thoracic vertebrae.

Video lesson No. 1 anatomy of the first rib

Other video lessons on this topic are:

Laterally from the tubercle of the rib, the bend of the rib changes sharply, and at this place on the body of the rib there is a rib angle, angulus costae. At the 1st rib angulus costae matches with tubercle, and on the remaining ribs the distance between the tubercle and the costal angle increases to the XI rib, and on the XII angle disappears. On the inner surface of the middle ribs along the lower edge there is groove, sulcus costae, through which intercostal vessels pass.

On the upper surface of the first rib, a practically important tubercle, tuberculum m. scaleni anterioris, serving as an attachment point anterior scalene muscle, m. scalenus anterior . Immediately behind this tubercle you can see a small furrow, sulcus a. subcldviae , in which it lies subclavian artery, bending over the first rib. In front of the tubercle there is another, flatter groove for subclavian vein, sulcus v. subclaviae.
Clearly with features anatomy of the first rib you can find it on ours.

In adults, all 12 pairs of ribs are clearly visible on anterior radiographs, with the anterior parts of the ribs layered on top of the posterior ones, intersecting with each other. To understand these layers, one must keep in mind that the posterior parts of the ribs are connected to the spinal column and are located obliquely - downward and laterally. The anterior parts are inclined downward, but in the opposite direction - medially. Due to the transition bone tissue the anterior ends of the ribs seem to break off into the cartilaginous shadows. Radiographs show the heads and necks of the ribs, superimposed on the body, and the transverse processes of the corresponding vertebrae. The tubercles of the ribs and their articulations are also visible near the transverse processes.

Among the options for the development of ribs, the so-called accessory ribs (VII cervical rib and I lumbar rib) are of great practical importance; The XII pair of ribs, as a rudimentary formation, varies more than other ribs. There are two forms of the XII ribs: saber-shaped, in which the long rib is inclined downward, and stiletto-shaped, when the small short rib is located horizontally. The XII rib may be absent.


Video lesson No. 2 rib anatomy

The question “How many ribs does a person have?” and “Are there differences in the number of ribs between women and men?” is very relevant, since it is asked even by those people who are interested in biology and human anatomy. And although this question is not too global, it is still worth understanding why it is so popular and how many ribs a person has.

How many ribs do women have?

It has long been believed that women have at least one more rib than men. And this judgment appeared thanks to church scriptures. Everyone knows the story about Adam and Eve, and according to the Bible, Eve was created by God from the rib of Adam. And that is why it is generally accepted that women have more ribs. And even if you believe this scripture, why do modern men one less rib. After all, if a person is born without any limb (anything can happen in life) or some limb is amputated, his offspring most often has a missing limb.

Geneticists around the world have long been convinced that the absence of limbs does not in any way change a person’s DNA and RNA, which means that the loss of a limb does not in any way affect the offspring.

Typically, every person, regardless of gender, has twelve pairs of ribs, but there are a number of reasons why their number may be more or less than twelve:

Pathologies (congenital and acquired);

Removal of “hanging ribs” for cosmetic and health purposes;

Born with “vestigial” ribs.

However, the question “how many ribs do women have?” still makes sense, as women do have smaller rib cages, which may make them appear to have fewer ribs than men.

How many ribs do men have?

Modern science has repeatedly proven that almost every person has only twelve pairs of ribs. The first seven pairs create the basis of the chest, the next three serve to strengthen the chest, and the last two pairs do not have useful properties, since they are not adjacent to the chest.

Why practically? Unfortunately, very often at birth a pathology of the chest can occur, due to which a person will have thirteen or eleven pairs of ribs. Such pathologies may not be congenital. There is a huge possibility that after a rib fracture, it will not begin the recovery process correctly, which is why a growth will form near the rib. Yes, such a bone growth cannot be called a separate rib, but it occupies the same area as a regular rib. At the same time, the absence of one pair of ribs does not significantly affect human health (especially if the lower pair of ribs is missing). The presence of an extra pair greatly complicates the functioning of the lungs and heart. Also now the procedure for removing the lower pairs of ribs has become very popular; basically, the ribs of the model are removed to create a better waist (both women and men can pursue similar goals), or to relieve pressure on the spine.

This is why the question “how many ribs do men and women have?” in principle, it is not correct, and it appeared solely because of the story of Adam and Eve. There is no scientific evidence that the difference in the number of ribs is in any way dependent on gender. The correct question is “how many ribs does a person have?” and here the answer may not be unambiguous, since there are many factors due to which the number of ribs can be more or less than twelve.

Another factor not mentioned is genetics and the appearance of so-called “vestigial ribs.” Previously, a person actually had more ribs than modern people, but over time, their number decreased, as the need for them disappeared. And for some people, genetics may play out in such a way that they are born with more ribs. And wherein this case will not be considered a pathology, since in such a case the “extra” pairs of ribs do not complicate the work of the lungs and heart at all.

The story of the first people - Adam and Eve - is described in the Bible, in Old Testament. After God created the Earth, he decided to populate it with living beings. First he created a man, Adam. Then he thought that it was not good for man to be alone and Adam needed to create a helper. And then he created a mate for him - a wife. To do this, God borrowed one rib from Adam.

There is an opinion that in the Bible, Adam's rib actually means something else.

Based on this, some believers claim that men have fewer ribs than women. It is worth noting that the Koran describes a similar story about the origin of man, so Muslims often also believe in this fact.

What science says about how many ribs a woman has

You can figure out how many ribs a woman and a man have using a regular anatomy textbook. It clearly states that a person has 24 ribs, that is, 12 pairs. 10 of them close, forming dense rings between the sternum and the spine, and the remaining pairs do not touch each other, and therefore they are called oscillating.

Ribs are arched, flat bones that form the rib cage, which protects such vital important organs of a person, like the lungs and heart.

The misconception that representatives of different sexes have differences in the number of ribs was refuted in the 16th century by the brilliant surgeon and anatomist Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564), who is considered the founder of modern anatomy. After performing several autopsies on the bodies of men and women, he announced that both had 12 pairs.

Such ideas, revolutionary for that time, caused great indignation among the clergy. The scientist was severely punished: he was imprisoned and then tried. Vesalius was saved from the inquisitorial fire by the intervention of the king himself.

Exceptions to the Rule: Adam's Rib Syndrome

Having 12 pairs of ribs is considered normal for all people. However, exceptions to the rules are possible. Sometimes a person may have slightly more ribs than they should have. However, this does not depend on membership certain gender. However, according to statistics, the presence of the thirteenth rib is more often observed in women than in men.

A similar phenomenon in medicine is called “Adam’s rib syndrome.” The fact is that a newborn child has a set of cartilage tissue, which over time grows together, hardens and forms a skeleton, like that of an adult. However, all processes in the body of different people are individual. Therefore, it happens that there are 1-2 extra ribs left, and it’s not very easy to live with them. Extra shoots often interfere and put pressure on the internal organs, causing malfunction of some of them and numbness of the tissues of the hands.

For people with this syndrome, doctors recommend surgery to remove extra ribs to eliminate the negative effects of the uncomfortable bones. And only with 12 pairs of ribs, a person, regardless of his gender, can feel healthy.

Before answering the question of how many ribs a person has, it is necessary to define the concept of a rib and define its purpose. A rib is an arched bone that runs from the spine to the chest and forms the rib cage. The chest, in turn, protects soft tissues and vital human organs from damage: heart, lungs, liver and others.

The ribs come in pairs, each person has 12 pairs of ribs. The first 7 are called true, the remaining 5 are called false. The lower 4 ribs are called fluctuating ribs - they extend from the spine, but do not close at the sternum. It would seem that the only correct answer to the question of how many ribs a person has is: 24 ribs. However, you can find people who have 13 or 11 pairs of ribs. Sometimes this anomaly is due to congenital features body, and sometimes this is the result of surgery. Perhaps someone will be puzzled by the fact that people voluntarily go under the surgeon’s knife, removing part of their skeleton. Women undergo this operation wanting to get a thin waist and narrow their chest. Men - wanting to satisfy themselves orally. It is difficult to judge how justified these changes are, which go against nature itself. After all, no matter how many ribs a person has, there are definitely no extra ribs among them.

Several hundred years ago, when medicine was in its infancy, the exact answer to the question of how many ribs a person has baffled the most advanced healers. They could say one thing with confidence - men should have one less rib than women. After all, the Bible says that God created Adam’s wife from his rib, which means that men have been missing one rib ever since. For many centuries, this fact did not require proof, and enthusiastic doctors who performed autopsies on corpses, trying to get to the truth, were declared heretics and sentenced to death. Therefore, the answer to the question of how many pairs of ribs a person has was found only in the 16th century.

The modern interpretation of this biblical passage is slightly different. Church employees no longer refute scientifically proven medical fact that the number of ribs a person has does not depend on his gender. Now they argue that Adam was indeed missing one rib, but this feature could not be passed on by inheritance, just as head injuries, amputated fingers, or a removed appendix cannot be passed on. Thus, religion and medicine today are no longer contradictory.

A rib fracture is one of the most common. Most often, the ribs located in the middle are broken. The lower ones, mobile and flexible, are less likely to come under attack, and the two upper pairs protect the humerus and collarbones. Most often, ribs are broken during a fall, in an accident, or in fights. The danger of a fracture also lies in the fact that often, in addition to the ribs, internal organs are hit. A bone fragment can become embedded in a lung or major vessel, causing bleeding. If open rib injuries can be seen immediately (these are penetrating wounds to the chest due to a gunshot), or a closed injury can only be diagnosed by a specialist.

Symptoms of a fracture are chest pain that increases with exhalation, hematomas, rapid shallow breathing, bleeding from the upper respiratory organs and internal bleeding.

A fracture of one, or in rare cases two, ribs is treated at home after a visit to a traumatologist. The doctor does and, in uncomplicated cases, prescribes analgesics, physiotherapeutic procedures and expectorants to the patient. The patient is also prescribed therapeutic exercises to improve lung ventilation and complete rest. The rib heals in about a month if there are no associated injuries. Otherwise, the recovery period may take 2-3 or more months.

Man is inquisitive by nature. Most people are simply interested in learning something new, replenishing their brain with interesting information. Particularly entertaining can be problematic theories, which are often the cause of controversy. For example, how many ribs do a man and a woman have?

Origins of the issue

At first glance, a normal person should not have such questions. Since, having thoroughly studied the entire school textbook on human anatomy, everyone will understand that there are no differences in the skeleton of men and women. However, after communicating with religious fanatics and participating in various kinds of disputes, even an educated person may have a thought: is this true, do men and women have an equal number of ribs?

From the Bible

Everyone knows the approximate story of Adam and Eve. God created the Earth and decided to populate it beautiful planet living beings. He first created a man, Adam. But seeing how he was bored alone, he decided to create a mate for him - a woman who would brighten up Adam’s loneliness. Since human construction material almost over, God had to borrow one rib from Adam and use it to create the opposite sex. Not knowing how to console the poor man, the Creator made the lady very beautiful, for which Adam was grateful and was not offended by what he had done. This is the origin of the question of how many ribs a man and a woman have. After all, believers (and, naturally, uneducated people) will claim that men have fewer ribs than women. This, by the way, is also written in the Koran, so Muslims also believe in this fact.

Where is the truth?

You can figure out how many ribs a man and a woman have using a regular anatomy textbook that children study at school. It clearly says that the representative of Homo Sapiens, i.e. person, there are 24 ribs, i.e. 12 pairs of ribs. This was known back in the 16th century, when Andrei Vesalius, the father of modern anatomy, performed several autopsies of individuals of different sexes and announced how many ribs a man and a woman have - 12 pairs.

Adam's rib syndrome

But there are exceptions to the rules. And sometimes a person can have several more ribs than he should have. But this, however, does not depend on gender. Statistics show that this phenomenon is more often observed in women, although the thirteenth rib is also found in men. A similar fact in medicine is called “Adam’s rib syndrome.” The fact is, without a clearly defined skeleton: a child has a set of cartilage tissue, which over time hardens, grows together and forms the skeleton of an adult. But all processes in the body of each person are individual, so it happens that one or two extra ribs remain, and living with them is not so easy. Extra shoots often interfere, putting pressure on organs, causing numbness in the tissues of the hands, as well as improper functioning of some internal organs. Therefore, people with Adam's rib syndrome are often recommended to undergo surgery to remove them in order to avoid negative consequences from the uncomfortable bones. And only with a standard set (12 pairs of ribs) can every person, regardless of gender, feel confident and healthy. So, when answering the question of how many ribs a woman or man has, you just need to be firmly convinced that you are right and not even doubt such a fact.

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