Where it is
From the thoracic vertebrae to the sternum, on the sides of the thorax.
- Layer
- Skeleton
- System
- Axial skeleton
- Region
- Thorax
What it is and what it does
The dog has thirteen pairs of ribs: nine sternal, which reach the sternum through their cartilage, and four asternal, whose cartilages join each other and form the costal arch. The last pair is usually "floating", free at its lower end. The ribs protect the heart and lungs.
The illustration shows the thirteen ribs of the left side; the costal cartilages are not drawn separately.
Worth remembering
The ribs protect the heart and lungs.
Names
- Also called: rib cage.
- Latin term: costae.
- In Romanian: Coastele (Romanian page).
In the atlas lessons
The skeleton, from skull to tail (5 min):
The thorax: 13 pairs of ribs, 9 sternal and 4 asternal, the last one usually floating; the sternum has 8 sternebrae.
Questions from the atlas
"Find it on the drawing" questions whose answer is this structure; in the atlas you will find them in the question bank and in the lessons.
- Show the ribs on the skeleton. (level 1)