Seven of your ribs, known as ‘true ribs’, connect to your spine in the back and to the sternum in the front with the help of cartilage. The second section of your ribs, known as ‘false ribs’, consist of three pairs which also connect to the spine in the back as well as the lowest of your true ribs at the front. Lastly the smallest ribs in your rib cage are the ‘floating ribs’ which connect to the spine but do not connect to any other body part.
The rib cage is designed to protect your organs, especially the most vital, your heart and lungs. The sternum is the bone that serves the most protection for your heart as it is directly above it and is very durable. So durable in fact that a particular bone saw needs to be used in order to cut it open for operations. The muscles between the ribs allow the ribcage to lift upon inhalation and move down to release air during exhalation.
It is important to understand that despite the rib cage’s duty to protect the organs, ribs are easily broken. An injury can be caused by a number of things such as a fall or during a sports game. If you have broken a rib then you will feel intense pain and will probably have trouble breathing or moving. Once you have consulted a doctor they will carry out an x-ray to deterimine the seriousness of the injury and where the break is. To heal a broken rib, adhesive tape will need to be applied from the sternum, over the top of the broken rib, and finishing at the spine. This is done in order to keep the broken rib still so the individual can still breathe properly. In the most serious of cases, a rib can break and puncture any of the delicate organs such as the heart or the lungs. If this occurs then immediate medical attention is a necessity
The rib cage is designed to protect your organs, especially the most vital, your heart and lungs. The sternum is the bone that serves the most protection for your heart as it is directly above it and is very durable. So durable in fact that a particular bone saw needs to be used in order to cut it open for operations. The muscles between the ribs allow the ribcage to lift upon inhalation and move down to release air during exhalation.
It is important to understand that despite the rib cage’s duty to protect the organs, ribs are easily broken. An injury can be caused by a number of things such as a fall or during a sports game. If you have broken a rib then you will feel intense pain and will probably have trouble breathing or moving. Once you have consulted a doctor they will carry out an x-ray to deterimine the seriousness of the injury and where the break is. To heal a broken rib, adhesive tape will need to be applied from the sternum, over the top of the broken rib, and finishing at the spine. This is done in order to keep the broken rib still so the individual can still breathe properly. In the most serious of cases, a rib can break and puncture any of the delicate organs such as the heart or the lungs. If this occurs then immediate medical attention is a necessity
