RIB ANATOMY

GENERAL FEATURES

What are the general features of a rib?

• Ribs are long, curved bones of your thoracic skeleton
• Connect posteriorly to thoracic vertebrae and form your ribcage
• Feature distinct parts: head, neck, body, tubercle, angle, and costal groove

Head of Rib

What is the head of the rib?

• Rounded posterior portion of the rib connecting to your thoracic vertebrae
• Contains two articular facets (superior and inferior) separated by the crest of the head (crista capituli)
• Facets articulate with two adjacent thoracic vertebrae
• The crest provides stability for rib articulation

Neck of Rib

What is the neck of the rib?

• Segment between the head and the tubercle
• Features a roughened crest along the superior border
• Crest serves as an attachment site for the anterior costotransverse ligament
• Ligament stabilizes the rib's articulation with your vertebrae

Body of Rib

What is the body of the rib?

• Long main portion of the rib stretching from the neck to the anterior end
• Contains the costal groove along the inferior border
• Costal groove houses and protects your intercostal vessels and nerve, crucial for your chest wall supply and sensation

Tubercle of Rib

What is the tubercle of the rib?

• Located at the junction of the rib's neck and body
• Features:
  • Articular portion — articulates with the transverse process of the thoracic vertebra
  • Non-articular portion — serves as an attachment site for ligaments

Angle of Rib

What is the angle of the rib?

• Point where the rib changes direction, creating a bend
• Marks the region where the rib begins to twist along its length

Costal Groove

What is the costal groove?

• Located along the inferior border of the rib's body
• Guides and protects your intercostal vessels and nerve
• Ensures efficient supply and sensation along your ribcage

FIRST RIB

What makes the first rib unique?

• The most curved and typically the shortest rib
• Shape is broad and flat, angling surfaces upward and downward
• Serves as a unique and important anatomical landmark in your thoracic cage

Scalene Tubercle

What is the scalene tubercle?

• Small bony prominence on the inner border of your first rib
• Marks the end of a ridge on the upper surface
• Separates two grooves on the rib
• Provides an attachment point for muscles involved in your neck movement

Groove for Subclavian Artery

What is the groove for the subclavian artery?

• Located just behind the scalene tubercle
• Houses your subclavian artery and a nerve network essential for your arm function
• Protects and routes these structures efficiently beneath the rib

Groove for Subclavian Vein

What is the groove for the subclavian vein?

• Located in front of the scalene tubercle
• Holds your subclavian vein, responsible for returning venous blood from your upper limb
• Ensures the vein's protection and proper positioning

SECOND RIB

What are the features of the second rib?

• Approximately twice as long as the first rib, with a similar curvature
• Distinguished by a roughened tuberosity for the serratus anterior muscle

Tuberosity for Serratus Anterior Muscle

What is the tuberosity for serratus anterior?

• Roughened area on the second rib
• Serves as the anchor point for your serratus anterior muscle
• Functions:
  • Facilitates movement of your shoulder blade
  • Supports proper arm function
  • Stabilizes your shoulder

FLOATING RIBS (ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH RIBS)

What are the floating ribs?

• Your floating ribs have free anterior ends
• Do not attach to your sternum
• Terminate within your back musculature

Function

What is the function of the floating ribs?

• Provide flexibility to your ribcage
• Considered a subset of false ribs, as they do not contribute to your sternum's structure