Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX USA) Practice

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Prepare for the COMLEX-USA with quizzes featuring flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Gear up for your osteopathic medicine exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which rib is referred to as the key rib when treating elevated ribs?

Top rib
Bottom rib
Middle rib
Any adjacent rib

The correct answer is: Top rib

The top rib, commonly referred to as the key rib in the context of treating elevated ribs, plays a significant role in the mechanics and alignment of the ribcage. When addressing elevated ribs, practitioners often focus on the top rib because it can significantly influence the position and movement of the other ribs underneath it. If the top rib is elevated, it can create a chain reaction, leading to compensation or elevation in the adjacent ribs. In osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), correcting the alignment of the top rib helps restore normal biomechanics, making it easier to manage the overall rib cage dynamics. By addressing the top rib first, you can help facilitate improved motion and alignment throughout the surrounding ribs, enhancing respiratory function and alleviating potential musculoskeletal pain. Thus, recognizing the top rib's pivotal role is essential in osteopathic treatment strategies.