Translations:Rippen und Brustbein/17/en

Due to their additional rotation about the longitudinal axis, the outer surfaces of the ribs are slightly caudal at their vertebral end and slightly cranial at their ventral end. Normally the 1st and 12th ribs are shortest and the 7th rib is longest. The rib cartilage in turn increases in length from the 1st to the 7th rib and becomes shorter again from the 8th rib. With the exception of the 1st, 11th and 12th ribs, each rib has a groove (Sulcus costae) on its underside in which the intercostal vessels and nerves are relatively protected.