Which of the folllowing rib is longest

Options

A. 1st
B. 12th
C. 7th
D. 8th

Answer

To determine which rib is the longest among the options provided (1st, 12th, 7th, and 8th), we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Structure of Ribs**:
- Ribs are a set of 12 pairs of bones that form a protective cage around the thoracic cavity, which houses vital organs like the heart and lungs.

2. **Categorize the Ribs**:
- Ribs are categorized into three types:
- **True Ribs (1-7)**: These ribs are directly attached to the sternum (breastbone).
- **False Ribs (8-10)**: These ribs are not directly attached to the sternum.
- **Floating Ribs (11-12)**: These ribs are only attached to the spinal column and not to the sternum.

3. **Identify the Size of Each Rib**:
- The 1st rib is the smallest rib.
- As we move down from the 1st to the 7th rib, the size of the ribs increases.
- The 7th rib is the largest among the true ribs.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Since the 7th rib is the largest of the true ribs and is larger than the false ribs (8th, 9th, 10th) and floating ribs (11th, 12th), it can be concluded that the 7th rib is the longest rib.

5. **Final Answer**:
- Among the options given (1st, 12th, 7th, and 8th), the longest rib is the **7th rib**.