How Many Ribs Do Men Have?

The question, how many ribs do men have? Has been a controversial point of discussion. This may be due to a belief of some Christians that women have more ribs than men. More so, their belief that men’s ribs are fewer is because Eve, the first woman, was created from the rib of Adam. However, this belief is based on the Bible, from the book of Genesis, and not based on scientific facts.

Scientifically, men have 12 pairs of ribs just as the women do. This is contrary to the common belief that men do have fewer ribs. The rib cage is made up of the 24 ribs. From the ribs structure, the center ribs are slightly larger, while the sternum or the chest bone forms the central part of the rib cage.

The human skeletal system is to a large part, enough scientific fact which shows that both male and female skeleton is identical. Therefore, the ribs are in the same place and contain the same number.

The Human Ribs

The ribs carry out a very vital function in man. It is mostly enclosed and protect the chest region, which is connected to many vital organs. Such organs include the heart and the lungs.

The make-up of ribs is known as the rib cage. It is generally made up of features such as long, curved individual bones with joint-connections to the spinal vertebrae. There is the connection of many rib bones within the chest to the sternum via costal cartilage. However, the segments of hyaline cartilage enable the rib cage to expand during respiration.

Importance Of The Ribs

Even as they are connected to a place, the ribs usually allow some level of outward movement. This enables the chest to stabilize during inhalation and exhalation as well. A man’s rib cage consists of 12 pairs of rib bones. Each one is paired systematically on the right side and on the left side.

The first pairs out of the 24 ribs are usually classified as true. These class of bones is linked to the costal cartilage. Additionally, the five other ‘false’ sets are not. The non-coastal cartilage is linked to three out of the five, while the other two are considered to be ‘floating.’ This simply indicates that they are only connected to the spine. There are also slight anatomical differences, but men and women generally have the same amount of ribs. Therefore, any contrary rib count between the genders is greatly a medical myth.

The Structural Components and Functions of The Rib

The human chest bones are also referred to as the rib cage and spine. It makes provision of structural support for the body, as well, protects vital organs from injury.

Though the body may have some defense components, one of which is the rib cage. It is basically a great defense of the body against injury from impact. The rib cage is usually flexible and strong too. It also helps to protect major body vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and liver.

Every single rib extends from the spinal cord, then encloses around the body in a semicircle. The vital organs within the ribs region such as the lungs are encircled by the ribs. It is also connected to the costal cartilage that is in the front of the body. The cartilage is hard and it extends from the end of each rib, connecting to the sternum.

More so, the coastal cartilage has a connection to the bottom three ribs. They are basically free, and are classified as ‘floating ribs’. This makes bending at the waist easily and without the ribs restraining the pelvis.

More On The Structural Components and Functions of The Rib

Sternum: Also known as breastbone, is a long flat bone in the center of the chest. The heart is protected by the sternum and also serves as the connecting point for the costal cartilage.

The clavicle can also be called the collarbone. It reaches across the front of the shoulder from the sternum to the scapula or shoulder blade. It is vulnerable to frequently fractured, especially, in automobile accidents and sports injuries.

The scapula: This is a flat triangular bone found in the back of the shoulder, it is also known as the shoulder blade. The scapula is connected with the collarbone in the front of the body. It is as well connected to the shoulder joint. Furthermore, it brings the shoulder blade and the humerus, or the large bone of the upper arm together.

The spine, also referred to as the vertebral column, is a very vital part of the human body. It connects from the brain to the tailbone. The spine is seen as a nerve center, which is enclosed in a series of 24 connected bones called vertebrae. However, each of these bone is covered with a disc made of cartilage. It primarily acts as a joint and ligament to keep the vertebrae connected.

Normally, as women grow older, they typically lose bone density to osteoporosis. This is a progressive bone disease. This loss makes them weak and open to traumatic fractures. Usually, they are given supplements and medications to help their bones retain mass.

Osteoporosis essentially affects women that are above the age of 50. This is because women usually tend to lose their bone mass. About one percent of women’s bone mass is lost after the age of 35.

Three Differences Between the Male and the Female Ribs?

The ribs of a female are usually longer, but relative to their height than the male ribs. This leads to:
Increase in the angulation of the ribs in a female rib cage
Differences exist between men and women, particularly in the calcification pattern of the costal cartilage is different between men and women.

The Different Classes of Ribs

Floating rib:

The floating rib is one of the last two ribs. It is floating rib because it is not attached to the sternum or to another rib.

The ribs are usually in pairs and there 12 pairs of ribs in all. Each pair of the ribs is joined to the basic unit of the spine in the back. Typically, the 12 pairs of ribs consist of:

True ribs: This is the first seven ribs attach to the sternum, in the front and it’s also known as sternal ribs.
The False ribs: This is referred to the lower five ribs which are not directly connected to the sternum.

The three false ribs which are upper are connected to the costal cartilages of the ribs just above them. However, the last two false ribs, usually do not have ventral attachment and they are called floating, fluctuating or vertebral ribs.

Slipping Rib Syndrome Back Pain

The slipping rib syndrome is as well-known to be cyriax syndrome. It is a rare cause of thoracic and upper abdominal irregular pain. It usually arises from the hypermobility of the rib cartilage of the false and floating ribs. However, this may lead to interference that allows the costal cartilage tips to subluxate and irritate the intercostal nerves. This is often, an underdiagnosed condition and consequently, it can cause a longer period of unresolved pain.

Sometimes most people are likely to describe it as a slipping movement of the ribs or a popping sensation. Additionally, this condition may imitate several types of visceral discomfort. This may lead to undergoing many unnecessary laboratory and radiological tests. Normally, this syndrome can be diagnosed through a clinical test. More so, it is often associated with direct or indirect trauma, constrained posture, and previous abdominal surgery.