$Unique_ID{BRK02073}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Rib Count and Determining a Baby's Gender}
$Subject{x-ray test gender baby number ribs autopsies sternum chest bone
cartilage floating ribs rib sound waves sonography sex organs pregnancy}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Rib Count and Determining a Baby's Gender


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QUESTION:  A young mother-to-be tells me that through x-ray tests, the gender
of her baby was determined.  How do they do that?  Do they perhaps count the
ribs?  According to the Bible the male would, like Adam, be short one rib.  Is
this actually a fact?  I am most curious, please do not disappoint me.

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ANSWER:  Despite the fact that autopsies conducted hundreds of years ago
proved without a doubt that, at least in the number of ribs, men and women are
created equally, the Biblical story persists.  Both sexes possess 12 ribs on
each side; the first seven, called "true" ribs, are connected directly with
the sternum (chest bone), the next three are connected by bridges of cartilage
to the rib above, and the anterior ends of the last two ribs are free, and
they are called "floating" ribs.
     The baby's sex was determined not by x-rays, but through the use of
sound waves.  This process (sonography) produces a picture of the baby by
converting the sound waves that are reflected back from the baby in the
uterus into visible form.  These black and white "portraits" now form the
first baby pictures that many new parents place in the "baby book", and the
sensitivity of the procedure is enough to tell the boys from the girls by
revealing the anatomical shape of the sex organs.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.