The downward sloping nature of the upper ribs are as such because they enable this to occur.

When the external intercostal muscles contract and lift the ribs, the upper ribs are able also to push the sternum up and out.

A living skeleton, its upper ribs in view, was facing him from the other side of the table.

Slowly, the metal of its bare upper ribs caught the flames of the sun that was still not visible from where they sat.

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the junctions where the upper ribs join with the cartilage that holds them to the breastbone, or sternum.

This compresses the collarbone and upper ribs but is not medically dangerous.

The axletree lying nearby had crushed the skull and broken the left collarbone as well as several of the upper ribs.

The arrow had found its mark in his back just below the shoulder to emerge on the other side between two upper ribs.

Because it elevates the upper ribs, the middle scalene muscle is also one of the accessory muscles of respiration.