The ribs most commonly fractured are in which range?

• A. 1-3
• B. 4-8
• C. 9-12
• D. 2-6

Answer: (B)

Blunt chest trauma tends to fracture the ribs in the mid-thorax because this region bears the greatest bending stress and has less protective coverage from the shoulder girdle than the upper ribs, while not being as shielded as the lowest ribs. The middle ribs are where the force of impact is most likely to cause a fracture, so the range around the 4th through the 8th ribs is the common pattern. The upper ribs (1–3) are partly protected by the clavicle and shoulder, and the lower ribs (9–12) are more often involved only with more severe trauma, so they aren’t as frequently fractured in isolated injuries.