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Group · Skeletal system

Ribs

Costae

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System
Skeletal system
Regions
Trunk, Thorax
Part of
Bones of thorax
Ribs (Costae) highlighted in a 3D model of the human body
3D model: Z-Anatomy - The libre 3D atlas of anatomy - CC-BY-SA 4.0

DescriptionUnreviewed

In vertebrate anatomy, ribs (Latin: costae) are the long curved bones which form the rib cage, part of the axial skeleton.

In most tetrapods, ribs surround the chest, enabling the lungs to expand and thus facilitate breathing by expanding the chest cavity.

They serve to protect the lungs, heart, and other internal organs of the thorax.

In some animals, especially snakes, ribs may provide support and protection for the entire body.

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Source: Wikipedia · Text licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · This text comes from the source data and has not been reviewed by a person yet.

Parts

Names

Latin
Costae
English
Ribs
French
Côtes
Spanish
Costillas
Portuguese
Costelas

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