How Many Chest Bones are in The Human Body

How Many Chest Bones are in The Human Body

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on May 19, 2023 12:01 PM IST

Introduction

The human body contains a total of 26 chest bones. Some bones fuse as a person ages, and this process usually lasts until around the third decade of life. As a result, different measurements of an individual's bone count may be made throughout a lifetime. Additionally, although being naturally joined, the skull and face bones are regarded as separate bones. Some trustworthy sesamoid bones, like the pisiform, are counted, but not others, such as the hallux sesamoids.

Due to anatomical differences, some people may have more or fewer bones than the average person (even taking into account developmental stage). Sesamoid bones, which develop within some tendons, primarily in the hands and feet, and sutural (wormian) bones, which are located along the sutural lines on the back of the skull, are the two most prevalent variations.

feet. Additionally, some people may have extra cervical ribs or lumbar vertebrae (i.e., supernumerary). Bone loss can occur as a result of amputations or other wounds. One bone may be broken completely into several fragments. Other genetic disorders may cause abnormally high or low bone counts, such as polydactyly or conjoined twins, or both (such as oligodactyly).

Chest

The chest consists of 25 bones.

  • The lungs' air-intake cartilage is located in the chest.

  • Sternum (or three bones. In this article, it counts as 1.)

  • Ribs (24, in 12 pairs)

  • Extra ribs called cervical ribs can develop in some people.

One of the body's finest barriers against harm from the collision is the rib cage. The rib cage, which is robust yet flexible, shields important organs like the heart, lungs, and liver.

Women do not have more ribs than males, despite popular assumptions and some religious doctrines. The average rib cage contains 24 ribs.

Each rib extends from the spinal cord and forms a semicircle around the body. The front of the body's costal cartilage is connected to the ribs, which also surround critical organs including the lungs. Each rib's end has a piece of tough cartilage that joins to the sternum.

The costal cartilage is not connected to the lowest three ribs, though. They are still considered free and are known as ribs that "float." Because of this, people can bend at the waist without their ribs getting in the way of their pelvis. In the middle of the chest, the sternum, often known as the breastbone, is a long, flat bone. Along with protecting the heart, it also connects the costal cartilage. From the sternum to the scapula, or shoulder blade, the clavicle, or collarbone, spans the front of the shoulder. In sports injuries and motor accidents, it frequently fractures.

The back of the shoulder is flat, a triangular bone called the scapula or shoulder blade. In the front of the body, it joins the collarbone. It is also linked to the shoulder joint, which connects the humerus, the bulky upper arm bone, and the shoulder blade.

The vertebral column, often known as the spine, is a crucial component of a person's body. The spine, which extends from the brain to the tailbone, is a nerve hub encased in a collection of 24 interconnected bones known as vertebrae. A cartilage disc that serves as a joint and ligament to keep the vertebrae linked cushions each bone and sits between them. Due to the degenerative bone condition osteoporosis, women often experience bone density loss as they age. They are now fragile and prone to catastrophic fractures as a result of this loss. To aid in the mass retention of the bones, supplements and drugs are frequently administered. Because women normally begin to lose roughly 1% of their bone mass after the age of 35, osteoporosis mostly affects women over the age of 50. Because oestrogen levels fall after menopause, postmenopausal women are more vulnerable.

Collarbone Injury

The Achilles tendon in our ankle can take a lot of abuse when we play basketball.

Hands. Sports that require gripping, like gymnastics or golf, can raise our risk of hand muscle strains, Elbows. Throwing sports and racquet sports are notorious for causing elbow injuries.

Prevention: As part of a comprehensive physical conditioning program, regular stretching and strengthening exercises for your sport, fitness, or work activity can help to reduce your risk of muscle strains. Don't play your sport to get in shape; instead, try to be in shape to play it. Regular conditioning can help prevent injuries if you have a physically demanding job.

Costochondritis

Costochondritis is an infection of the cartilage that joins a rib to the breastbone (kos-toe-kon-DRY-tis) (sternum). The pain from costochondritis may resemble that of a heart attack or other cardiac conditions. Chest wall discomfort syndrome, costosternal syndrome, and costosternal chondrodynia are other names for costochondritis. Pain can occasionally be accompanied by swelling (Tietze syndrome). It is unknown what causes costochondritis. While waiting for the illness to become better on its own, which could take a few weeks or longer, treatment concentrates on reducing pain.

Symptoms

  • The discomfort brought on by costochondritis typically:

  • takes place on your left breastbone.

  • Is it piercing, achy, or pressure-like?

  • affects many ribs and can spread to the shoulders and arms.

  • worsens with deep breaths, coughing, sneezing, or any movement of the chest wall.

Whenever to visit a doctor

To rule out potentially fatal reasons, such as a heart attack, or chest pain, seek emergency medical assistance.

Causes

The cause of costochondritis is frequently unclear. Costochondritis, however, may be brought on by trauma, disease, or physical stress, like a persistent cough.

Risk elements

Women over the age of 40 are most likely to develop costochondritis.

Tietze syndrome often affects adolescents and young adults, and both men and women are equally susceptible.

Anatomy

The study of an organism's structure and its components is the focus of the branch of biology known as anatomy. The Ancient Greek verb "vo (anatom)" is where the word "anatomy" originates (dissection). The discipline of natural science known as anatomy examines the structural makeup of living things. It is a discipline that dates back to the Paleolithic epoch. Anatomy is inextricably linked to developmental biology, embryology, comparative anatomy, evolutionary biology, and phylogeny since these are the processes that create anatomy over short- and long-term timescales, respectively.

Anatomy and physiology, which look at the structure and function of organisms and their parts, are two examples of related disciplines that are frequently combined. Human anatomy is one of the fundamental scientific disciplines used in medicine. Comparative anatomy-related, there are two categories in anatomy: macroscopic and microscopic. The study of an animal's body parts under the microscope, often known as gross anatomy, requires unaided vision. The division of superficial anatomy is also included in gross anatomy.

In microscopic anatomy, optical tools are used to investigate cells as well as the tissues of different structures (a process known as histology). History of anatomy has been characterised by the growth of understanding of the functions performed by the organs and structures of the human body. The examination of animals through the dissection of corpses and carcasses (cadavers) has advanced significantly, giving way to 20th-century medical imaging techniques like X-ray, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging.

Clavicle

From the sternum to the scapula, or shoulder blade, the clavicle, also known as the collarbone, spans the front of the shoulder. A fall or a hit while playing sports can cause an impact on the area, which can result in an injury to this bone.

Pain in the collarbone, often known as clavicle pain, maybe from arthritis, a fracture, or a bone infection. The following are signs of clavicle pain:

  • An expansion above the collarbone

  • Discomfort at the collarbone

  • Arm ache when moving

  • Arm's reduced range of motion

  • Neck or down an arm, or both

  • To discover more about Clavicle Fractures, please read this article.

Scapula

The back of the shoulder is flat, a triangular bone called the scapula or shoulder blade. In the front of the body, it joins the collarbone. It is also linked to the shoulder joint, which connects the humerus, the bulky upper arm bone, and the shoulder blade. Watch this VIDEO to learn why treatment for shoulder discomfort must be delayed. Accident or fall-related damage is brought on by having to move something heavy while using a computer for a prolonged amount of time. Unusual sleeping posture

Conclusion

In conclusion, the chest bones have an impact on the shape and structure of the upper body. These structures are essential for safeguarding organs, so any damage to them can be excruciatingly painful. Please seek medical advice from your doctor or an orthopaedic specialist regarding the best course of action if you believe you have suffered any damage to your chest bones.

Get answers from students and experts
Back to top