How many ribs do we have?

We know you are there because we feel them when we feel our side, and that is that the ribs are of the utmost importance for our organism, helping to protect from possible impacts and injuries to the important organs that are found in the thorax. And it is that in front of a strong blow the ribs can get to fracture, a painful condition that deserves rest since it can not be treated in any other way.

It is interesting to know its function and structure, but if you also wonder how many ribs we have then you have arrived at the indicated place, because in .com we explain it to you in detail.

What is the number of ribs in humans?

We have 24 ribs, 12 on each side of our body. However you will be surprised to know that not all of our ribs are the same, and that they are actually divided into 3 types:

• True ribs or sternal : it is the first 7 ribs from top to bottom, they are known as sternal because they are attached directly to the sternum.
• False ribs or asternales : it is about the 3 following ribs, they are known by this name because, although they are also attached to the sternum, they do so indirectly since they first join the cartilage of another rib and then the sternum.
• Floating ribs : these are the last 2 ribs, called in this way because they are not attached to the sternum or any other cartilage.

What are the ribs for?

The ribs, in addition to serving as support for our skeleton, fulfill the important function of protecting the organs found in the thorax: the lungs, the heart, the aorta, the superior and inferior vena cava, the esophagus, the trachea, the lymph nodes and the thymus. These delicate organs are surrounded by the ribs, so that before a strong blow they suffer first these bones before the organs, much more fragile and delicate.

Next to the sternum and the spine, the ribs form what is known as the rib cage.