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Ribs

The two dozen curved, flat bones that make up the basketlike rib cage protect your heart and lungs. But while standing guard, they can get bruised and fractured.

All articles in Ribs

Rib pain on both sides can be caused by inflammation of the cartilage known as acute costochondritis (chest wall syndrome), atypical chest pain, or normal occurrence of chest pain. Read on below for more information on causes and relief options.

Pain below your ribs is usually indigestion, stomach ulcer, gallstones, or constipation. It can also be a sign of a disease in an abdominal organ or a fractured rib.

Rib pain or pain in the chest wall that feels like it comes from a rib may be caused by traumatic injury, muscle strain, joint inflammation, or chronic pain, and ranges in severity. Rib cage pain can be associated with bruising, difficulty taking a deep breath, joint pain, and more. Read more below to learn what may be causing your rib pain and when to seek treatment.

The ribs enclose many organs, so rib pain from coughing, breathing, sneezing or laughing can have a variety of causes, including pulmonary, musculoskeletal and cardiac issues that range in severity. Read more below to learn what may be causing your rib pain from coughing, breathing, sneezing, or laughing, and how your doctor may treat it.

Acute Costochondritis, also called chest wall pain syndrome, causes inflammation between your ribs and breastbone. The condition itself isn’t an emergency—but it feels just like a heart attack. Here’s how to identify the symptoms and when you should go to the emergency room.

See Acute Costochondritis treatments

A painless lump on the chest can most commonly be caused by a skin condition like an abscess, wart, or cysts. Rare causes for a painless chest wall lump include non cancerous cell growth known as lipoma, dermatofibroma, or breast cancer. Read below for more information on causes and treatment options.

Pectus carinatum is a deformity of the chest in which the front of the chest protrudes forward. It is believed to be caused by factors including abnormal growth.

See Pectus Carinatum treatments

Acute Costochondritis, also called chest wall pain syndrome, causes inflammation between your ribs and breastbone. The condition itself isn’t an emergency—but it feels just like a heart attack. Here’s how to identify the symptoms and when you should go to the emergency room.

Pain below your ribs is usually indigestion, stomach ulcer, gallstones, or constipation. It can also be a sign of a disease in an abdominal organ or a fractured rib.

Rib pain on both sides can be caused by inflammation of the cartilage known as acute costochondritis (chest wall syndrome), atypical chest pain, or normal occurrence of chest pain. Read on below for more information on causes and relief options.

Rib pain or pain in the chest wall that feels like it comes from a rib may be caused by traumatic injury, muscle strain, joint inflammation, or chronic pain, and ranges in severity. Rib cage pain can be associated with bruising, difficulty taking a deep breath, joint pain, and more. Read more below to learn what may be causing your rib pain and when to seek treatment.

Pectus carinatum is a deformity of the chest in which the front of the chest protrudes forward. It is believed to be caused by factors including abnormal growth.

The ribs enclose many organs, so rib pain from coughing, breathing, sneezing or laughing can have a variety of causes, including pulmonary, musculoskeletal and cardiac issues that range in severity. Read more below to learn what may be causing your rib pain from coughing, breathing, sneezing, or laughing, and how your doctor may treat it.

A painless lump on the chest can most commonly be caused by a skin condition like an abscess, wart, or cysts. Rare causes for a painless chest wall lump include non cancerous cell growth known as lipoma, dermatofibroma, or breast cancer. Read below for more information on causes and treatment options.