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!

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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!

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Which ribs articulate with cartilage?

  1. Ribs 1-7

  2. Ribs 8-10

  3. Ribs 11-12

  4. All ribs

The correct answer is: Ribs 8-10

Ribs that articulate with cartilage are considered to be false ribs, specifically ribs 8 through 10. These ribs do not attach directly to the sternum but instead connect to the costal cartilage of the rib above them. This anatomical feature allows for a degree of flexibility and expansion in the thoracic cavity during breathing. Ribs 1 through 7 are classified as true ribs because they have a direct costal connection to the sternum via their own individual costal cartilages. Ribs 11 and 12, on the other hand, are floating ribs, as they do not attach to the sternum or the costal cartilage and are only connected posteriorly to the vertebral column. Understanding these classifications helps clarify the rib anatomy and their respective articulations with cartilage.

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