Rib injury also known as rib fracture refers to a break in one or more bones in the rib cage. The ribs protects the heart and lungs. It also helps in breathing by keeping a space open inside the chest when the muscles contracts to fill up air in the lungs. A break in the cartilage (thick tissue that connects the ribs to the breastbone) may also be called rib fracture.
The most common cause of rib injury is a direct blow to the chest due to accident. Coughing hard may also cause rib injuries especially when you have other diseases that adds to the weakening of your bone such as Osteoporosis and cancer.