Rib

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Rib" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Rib
Collection of single ribs in the Faculty of Education of Charles University
Animation of all ribs, including the false ones in humans
Details
Identifiers
Latin	costae
MeSH	D012272
TA98	A02.3.01.001 A02.3.02.001
TA2	1105, 1118
FMA	7574
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

In vertebrate anatomy, ribs (Latin: costae) are the long curved bones which form the rib cage, part of the axial skeleton.^[1] In most tetrapods, ribs surround the thoracic cavity, enabling the lungs to expand and thus facilitate breathing by expanding the thoracic cavity. They serve to protect the lungs, heart, and other vital organs of the thorax. In some animals, especially snakes, ribs may provide support and protection for the entire body.