The short answer is: Yes, there are some differences, but not in the number of ribs. Both men and women typically have 24 ribs (12 pairs). However, there are subtle variations in size, shape, and rib cage volume.
Key Differences Between Male and Female Ribs
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Rib Cage Volume: Research indicates that the rib cage volume is approximately 10% smaller in females compared to males of the same height. [¹][⁹] The reason for this difference is currently not fully understood.
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Rib Length and Shape: Studies suggest that females tend to have relatively longer ribs than males. [⁹] Additionally, female ribs are generally described as more gracile (slender and delicate) than male ribs, which are typically thicker and sturdier. [²] The cranio-caudal inclination (the angle of the ribs relative to the spine) is also greater in females than in males. [¹]
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Overall Rib Cage Shape: Female rib cages tend to be narrower and less deep than those of males. [¹⁰]
It's crucial to understand that these are average differences. There will be significant overlap between the sexes, and individual variation within each sex is considerable. These differences are not absolute and should not be used for sex determination in forensic or other contexts.
[¹] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16476656/
[²] https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-the-male-and-the-female-ribs
[⁹] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1569904805000960
[¹⁰] https://byjus.com/question-answer/what-is-the-difference-between-male-and-female-rib-cage/
