肋骨(ろっこつ)

ろっこつ
noun
rib; ribs
1. rib; ribs
The curved bones that form the rib cage, protecting the heart and lungs. Humans have 12 pairs of ribs.
転(ころ)んで肋骨(ろっこつ)を折(お)った。
I fell and broke a rib.
肋骨(ろっこつ)は心臓(しんぞう)と肺(はい)を守(まも)っている。
The ribs protect the heart and lungs.
肋骨(ろっこつ)にひびが入(はい)った。
I cracked a rib.

ANATOMY:

Humans have 12 pairs (24 total) of 肋骨(ろっこつ):

  • 7 pairs of 真肋(しんろく) (true ribs): attached directly to sternum
  • 3 pairs of 仮肋(かろく) (false ribs): attached indirectly
  • 2 pairs of 浮遊肋(ふゆうろく) (floating ribs): not attached to sternum

MEDICAL TERMS:

  • 肋骨骨折(ろっこつこっせつ): rib fracture
  • 肋間(ろっかん): intercostal (between ribs)
  • 肋間筋(ろっかんきん): intercostal muscles

RELATED TERMS:

  • 胸郭(きょうかく): rib cage; thorax
  • 胸骨(きょうこつ): sternum; breastbone

Related Words

Related: 骨盤(こつばん) (pelvis)
core
Added 2026.1.17 2:27 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
05500/05962_rokkotsu