Clinical relevance of the bifid ribs in humans

Bifid ribs are a congenital anomaly that in the majority of cases does not demonstrate clinical symptoms. Nevertheless, their presence may be linked to several genetic disorders that affect different systems of the human body. Symptomatic conditions of bifid ribs can appear as follows: chest deformity and pain, breathing difficulties due to the structural changes in the thoracic wall, and neurological complaints caused by compression of the intercostal nerves. Hereby, we presented a concise review of clinical reports documenting symptomatic cases of bifid ribs and their potential associations with systemic disorders. This article also examines cases of bifid ribs encountered in the clinical practice of plastic surgeons, pediatric surgeons, and cardiothoracic surgeons.