This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Second rib

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The second rib is longer, thinner and less curved than the first rib. The head of the second rib has 2 facets for articulation with the vertebral bodies of T1 and T2. It can be divided into superior and inferior surfaces:

  • the superior surface:
    • slightly concave
    • more of an external angulation than first rib
    • unlike first rib, tubercle and angle are separate
    • has tuberosity for the attachment of serratus anterior at the lateral margin in the posterior third of the shaft
    • posterior to serratus anterior tubercle are attachment points for, sequentially:
      • scalenus posterior
      • serratus posterior superior
      • levator costae
    • along the medial aspect from the tubercle anteriorly, there is the point of attachment for the intercostal muscles
  • ligamentous attachments:
    • lateral costotransverse ligament to the tubercle
    • superior costotransverse ligament to the inner margin of the neck
  • inferior surface:
    • reciprocal slight inwards rotation opposite to superior surface
    • poorly formed costal groove anterior to the angle
    • from tubercle anteriorly, there are attachment sites for:
      • pleura, at the innermost margin
      • intercostal muscles at the outer margin

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.