Rib 44593 220866189 2008-06-22T00:03:57Z Kozuch 1339567 {{Unreferenced|date=June 2008}} {{otheruses1|the part of the skeleton}}{{Unreferenced|date=June 2008}} [[Image:Gray112.png|thumb|The [[human rib cage]]. <small>(Source: ''[[Gray's Anatomy|Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body]]'', 20th ed. 1918.)</small>]] In [[vertebrate]] [[anatomy]], '''ribs''' ([[Latin]] ''costae'') are the long curved [[bone]]s which form the '''ribcage'''. In most animals, ribs surround the [[chest]] (Latin ''[[thorax]]'') and protect the [[lung]]s, [[heart]], and other internal [[Organ (anatomy)|organ]]s of the thorax. In some animals, especially [[snake]]s, ribs may provide support and protection for the entire body. ==Human anatomy== {{main|Human rib cage}} [[Image:Ribs labeled.png|thumb|right|200px|[[X-ray]] image of human chest, with ribs labeled.]] Human beings have 24 ribs (12 pairs). The first seven sets of ribs, known as "[[true ribs]]", have their own individual [[cartilage]] connections with the [[sternum]]. The following three sets are known as "[[false ribs]]", these share a common cartilaginous connection to the sternum, while the last two (eleventh and twelfth ribs) are termed [[floating rib]]s (''costae fluitantes'') or vertebral ribs. They are attached to the vertebrae only, and not to the sternum or cartilage coming off of the sternum. Some people are missing one of the two pairs of floating ribs, while others have a third pair. [[Rib removal]] is the surgical excision of ribs for therapeutic or cosmetic reasons. The ribcage is separated from the lower abdomen by the [[thoracic diaphragm]] which controls breathing. When the diaphragm contracts, the ribcage and thoracic cavity are expanded, reducing intra-thoracic pressure and drawing air into the lungs. ==In other animals== In [[mammal]]s, one generally thinks of ribs occurring only in the [[chest]]. However, during the development of mammalian embryos, fused-on remnants of ribs can be traced in [[neck]] vertebrae ([[cervical rib]]s) and [[sacrum|sacral]] vertebrae. In [[reptile]]s, ribs sometimes occur in all vertebrae from the neck to the sacrum. The ribs of [[turtle]]s are developed into a bony or cartilagenous [[carapace]] and [[plastron]]. [[Fish]] can have up to four ribs on each vertebra and this can easily be seen in the [[herring]], although not all fish have this many. ==Additional images== Human ribs <gallery> Image:Gray122.png Image:Gray123.png Image:Gray124.png Image:Gray125.png Image:Gray126.png Image:Gray127.png Image:Gray128.png </gallery> ==See also== *[[Bone#Terminology|Bone terminology]] *[[Terms for anatomical location]] *[[Ribs (food)]] ==References== {{wiktionary|rib}} *Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 4th ed. Keith L. Moore and Robert F. Dalley. pp. 62-64 {{human anatomical features}} [[Category:Thorax]] [[Category:Skeletal system]] {{musculoskeletal-stub}} [[br:Kostezenn]] [[bg:Ребро]] [[ca:Costella]] [[cs:Žebro]] [[da:Ribben]] [[de:Rippe]] [[es:Costilla]] [[eo:Ripo]] [[fr:Côte (anatomie)]] [[gd:Aisean]] [[hr:Rebra]] [[id:Tulang rusuk]] [[it:Costola]] [[he:צלעות]] [[la:Costa (anatomia)]] [[lv:Ribas]] [[lt:Šonkaulis]] [[ms:Tulang rusuk]] [[nl:Rib (anatomie)]] [[ja:肋骨]] [[no:Ribben]] [[pl:Żebra (anatomia)]] [[pt:Costela]] [[ru:Ребро]] [[sk:Rebro]] [[sl:Rebro]] [[fi:Kylkiluu]] [[sv:Revben]] [[ta:விலா எலும்பு]] [[th:กระดูกซี่โครง]] [[tr:Kaburga]] [[uk:Ребра]] [[vls:Rebbe]] [[zh:肋骨]]