The main point of differentiation between the anterior and posterior ribs is the connecting part of the ribs and their direction. 1. Ribs are an important part of the thorax, from the point of view of the connecting parts: the posterior ribs of the ribs are connected to the thoracic vertebrae, and the rib shape is generally a slightly enlarged head of the posterior ribs, from the head of the ribs outwardly tapered to the neck of the ribs, and flattened into a rib body, the posterior end of the ribs has a small head of the ribs and the corresponding thoracic vertebrae rib concavity constitutes an articulation. The anterior rib of the rib body is rough and connected to the rib cartilage, which is hyaline cartilage and connected to the lateral edge of the sternum. 2. From the direction of the ribs: the more straight is the posterior rib, and the anterior rib is slanting from outside up to inside down. To more accurately determine the difference between the anterior and posterior ribs, imaging is recommended.