A man has 12 ribs on each side. This is the same number of ribs as women. The common belief that men have fewer ribs than women is a myth.
Debunking the Myth
The idea that men have one fewer rib than women stems from a misinterpretation of the biblical creation story. Numerous reputable sources confirm that the vast majority of humans, regardless of sex, possess 24 ribs in total – 12 pairs, 12 on each side.
- Scientific Consensus: Multiple medical websites and studies (Medical News Today, Healthline, Bartleby) agree on the 12-pairs-of-ribs fact for both men and women.
- Rare Exceptions: While almost all humans have 24 ribs, there are extremely rare instances of genetic variations that may result in fewer or more ribs. These are not typical and do not support the idea of a consistent difference between men and women's rib counts. Conditions like cervical ribs can lead to extra ribs, but this occurs equally in both sexes. (Quora, The Guardian)
Therefore, the statement "men have one fewer rib than women" is inaccurate.
