Rib

Ribs are long, curved bones that wrap from your spine (thoracic spine) around to the front, where most attach to the sternum through cartilage. They form a protective cage around your heart and lungs and also help you breathe by moving as your chest expands and contracts. Like other bones, ribs are made of a cortical bone shell around a trabecular bone interior, and they rebuild themselves constantly through bone remodeling.

A rib fracture can happen from an obvious injury, like a fall or car accident, but in someone with osteoporosis or low bone mineral density, ribs can also break from surprisingly minor stress, such as a hard cough or sneeze, or a minor bump. This is called a fragility fracture, and when a bone breaks more easily than expected, it's worth discussing with your doctor, since it may be a sign of weakening bone elsewhere too.

Rib fractures can be painful because the rib cage moves constantly with breathing, which can slow healing and sometimes lead to complications like shallow breathing or pneumonia if pain isn't managed well. Most heal with rest, pain control, and time rather than surgery. If a rib fracture happens without major trauma, your doctor may suggest a DEXA scan to check your bone density and look for underlying osteoporosis or osteopenia.