Neck

The neck of a rib describes the region lying between the head and tubercle:

• thinner than the head
• in the anatomical position, projects posterolaterally from head to tubercle
• situated anterior to the corresponding thoracic vertebra
• sharp superior margin, the 'crest of neck'
• inferior margin is more rounded
• has attachments for 2 ligaments:
  • superior costotransverse ligament; from the crest of the neck
  • costotransverse ligament; from the posterior surface of the neck
• relations:
  • anteriorly: pleura
  • posteriorly: transverse process of corresponding thoracic vertebra