ribs

The shown medieval engraving depicts a story from the bible, where Eve is created from a rib of Adam. Because of this story some Christians think that men have one rib less than women. This is not true.

The human rib cage consists of 12 ribs on both sides (so 24 in total). These ribs are connected on the back side to the thoracic vertebrae.

The ribs can be divided in three groups that are named according to the way that they are connected on the front side:

• The top 7 vertebrae are connected to the breastbone. These are called the true ribs.
• The next three ribs (number 8, 9 and 10), are each connected with cartilaginous tissue to the rib above. Number 8 connected to 7, number 9 to 8 and number 10 to 9. These ribs are called the false ribs.
• The lowest two ribs (number 11 en 12), are not connected on the front side. They are called the floating ribs.