Comlex Practice Test & Exam Prep

Ribs that are described as pump handle ribs are which numbers and how do they move during inhalation?

Ribs 1-5 move anterior-superior during inhalation Ribs 6-10 move anterior-superior during inhalation Ribs 1-5 move posterior-inferior during inhalation Ribs 4-8 move medially during inhalation

Correct Answer:

Ribs 1-5 move anterior-superior during inhalation

Explanation:

Pump-handle ribs are the upper ribs whose orientation causes the front part of the rib cage to lift as you breathe in. Their motion is mainly anterior and superior, meaning the sternum and the anterior margins of these ribs rise, increasing the front-to-back (AP) diameter of the chest. This pattern gives the upper ribs their name, as if the rib cage is being pumped forward. In contrast, the lower ribs tend to move more laterally to widen the chest transversely. So, the upper ribs move anterior-superior during inhalation.

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