The third through ninth (3 - 9) ribs share similar characteristics. They are considered typical ribs. Their main parts are the head, neck, tubercle, and body. Each part has its characteristic landmarks described below.

Head - the most proximal portion; it appears wedge-shaped and articulates with two adjacent thoracic vertebrae;
- Articular demi-facets - two surfaces found on the head for the articulation with the corresponding thoracic vertebra and the thoracic vertebra above; the superior demi-facet is usually larger than the inferior one;
- Interarticular crest - a sharp wedge that separates both articular demi-facets;
Neck - relatively short and flat segment that links the head of the rib with its body;
- Crest of the costal neck - sharp superior border of the neck that goes from the head towards the tubercle;
Tubercle - a bony prominence that is found on the posteroinferior aspect of each typical rib at the junction between the neck and body; it articulates with the transverse process of the thoracic vertebra, forming the costotransverse joint; it consists of two parts:
- Non-articular part of the tubercle - rough lateral portion of the tubercle that serves as the attachment site for ligaments, such as the costotransverse ligament;
- Articular part of the tubercle (articular facet) - medial portion of the tubercle; it presents as a smooth surface for the articulation with the transverse process of the corresponding thoracic vertebra;
Body (shaft) - the largest portion of the rib; it is thin, flat and curved and is found between the neck and the costal cartilage; the bodies of the third to sixth ribs are thicker and more rounded than those of the seventh to ninth ribs; it has two borders and two surfaces;
- Superior border - the upper blunt, smooth and convex edge;
- Inferior border - the sharp lower edge;
- External surface - the outer convex surface;
- Internal surface - the inner concave surface that faces the thoracic cavity;
- Costal angle - the sharp curve of the body that is formed lateral to the costal tubercle; it serves as the attachment site for some deep muscles of the back; usually, the tubercle to costal angle distance increases in the inferior direction;
- Costal groove - found along the inferior aspect of the internal surface; the ribs 5 - 7 usually have the most prominent costal grooves; it serves as the passage site for the intercostal nerve, intercostal artery and intercostal vein; these neurovascular structures are organized in a particular order - the highest is the intercostal vein, in the middle is the artery, while the nerve is located below the artery (mnemonic: VAN); please note that the intercostal nerve is usually not protected by the costal groove.

The sternal (distal) ends of the ribs appear porous and roughened. They connect with the costal cartilages, forming the costochondral joints. Most of the typical ribs are directly attached to the sternum.

Note: The tenth ribs can be either typical or atypical, depending on their articulations with the bodies of the ninth and tenth thoracic vertebrae. If the tenth rib articulates with both bodies of the mentioned vertebrae, it is classified as a typical rib - its head will have two articular demi-facets. If the tenth rib articulates with only the body of the tenth thoracic vertebra (T10), it will be classified as an atypical rib. Moreover, there will be only one facet on its head.

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Typical ribs