How many ribs attach directly and indirectly to the sternum?

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Learning Objectives
Licenses and Attributions
What type of ribs attach directly to the sternum?
How many ribs articulate directly with the sternum how many ribs articulate with the sternum indirectly?
Where are ribs 11 and 12 attached?
How many pairs of ribs are attached anteriorly to the sternum?

Hole's Human Anatomy and Physiology

15th EditionDavid Shier, Jackie Butler, Ricki Lewis

1,950 solutions

Seeley's Anatomy and Physiology

12th EditionAndrew Russo, Cinnamon VanPutte, Jennifer Regan

2,712 solutions

Anatomy and Physiology

1st EditionOpenStax

599 solutions

Hole's Human Anatomy and Physiology

15th EditionDavid Shier, Jackie Butler, Ricki Lewis

1,950 solutions

Learning Objectives

Discuss the components that make up the thoracic cage
Identify the parts of the sternum and define the sternal angle
Discuss the parts of a rib and rib classifications

Sternum
Ribs
- Parts of a Typical Rib
- Rib Classifications

The thoracic cage (rib cage) forms the thorax (chest) portion of the body. It consists of the 12 pairs of ribs with their costal cartilages and the sternum (Figure 6.38). The ribs are anchored posteriorly to the 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1–T12). The thoracic cage protects the heart and lungs.

Figure 6.38. Thoracic CageThe thoracic cage is formed by the (a) sternum and (b) 12 pairs of ribs with their costal cartilages. The ribs are anchored posteriorly to the 12 thoracic vertebrae. The sternum consists of the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process. The ribs are classified as true ribs (1–7) and false ribs (8–12). The last two pairs of false ribs are also known as floating ribs (11–12).

Sternum

The sternum is the elongated bony structure that anchors the anterior thoracic cage. It consists of three parts: the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process. The manubrium is the wider, superior portion of the sternum. The first ribs attach to the manubrium.

The elongated, central portion of the sternum is the body. The manubrium and body join together at the sternal angle, so called because the junction between these two components is not flat, but forms a slight bend. The second rib attaches to the sternum at the sternal angle. Since the first rib is hidden behind the clavicle, the second rib is the highest rib that can be identified by palpation. Thus, the sternal angle and second rib are important landmarks for the identification and counting of the lower ribs. Ribs 3–7 attach to the sternal body.

The inferior tip of the sternum is the xiphoid process. This small structure is cartilaginous early in life, but gradually becomes ossified starting during middle age.

Ribs

Each rib is a curved, flattened bone that contributes to the wall of the thorax. The ribs articulate posteriorly with the T1–T12 thoracic vertebrae, and most attach anteriorly via their costal cartilages to the sternum. There are 12 pairs of ribs. The ribs are numbered 1–12 in accordance with the thoracic vertebrae.

Rib Classifications

The bony ribs do not extend anteriorly completely around to the sternum. Instead, each rib ends in a costal cartilage. These cartilages are made of hyaline cartilage and can extend for several inches. Most ribs are then attached, either directly or indirectly, to the sternum via their costal cartilage (see Figure 6.37). The ribs are classified into three groups based on their relationship to the sternum.

Ribs 1–7 are classified as true ribs (vertebrosternal ribs). The costal cartilage from each of these ribs attaches directly to the sternum. Ribs 8–12 are called false ribs (vertebrochondral ribs). The costal cartilages from these ribs do not attach directly to the sternum. For ribs 8–10, the costal cartilages are attached to the cartilage of the next higher rib. Thus, the cartilage of rib 10 attaches to the cartilage of rib 9, rib 9 then attaches to rib 8, and rib 8 is attached to rib 7. The last two false ribs (11–12) are also called floating ribs (vertebral ribs). These are short ribs that do not attach to the sternum at all. Instead, their small costal cartilages terminate within the musculature of the lateral abdominal wall.

Licenses and Attributions

What type of ribs attach directly to the sternum?

In the front, the true ribs are connected directly to the breastbone or sternum by a strips of cartilage called the costal cartilage. The next three pairs of bones are called false ribs. These bones are slightly shorter than the true ribs and are connected to the spine in back.

How many ribs articulate directly with the sternum how many ribs articulate with the sternum indirectly?

Ribs 1–7 are called true ribs because they articulate directly with the sternum by means of cartilaginous attachments. Ribs 8–10 are known as false ribs because they articulate with the sternum indirectly, as their cartilage joins the cartilage of the seventh rib.

Where are ribs 11 and 12 attached?

The last two false ribs (11–12) are also called floating ribs (vertebral ribs). These are short ribs that do not attach to the sternum at all. Instead, their small costal cartilages terminate within the musculature of the lateral abdominal wall.

How many pairs of ribs are attached anteriorly to the sternum?

In the anterior thorax, the first 7 pairs of ribs are attached to the sternum or breastbone by cartilage. The lower 5 ribs do not attach to the sternum. The 8th, 9th, and 10th ribs are attached to each other by costal cartilage.