Earlier quoted context omitted.
I had heard a different theory, that this may be a mythological explanation on why humans don't have a penile bone like many common farm animals at that time (with 'rib' being a mistranslation of a more vague 'bone'). This would also make more symbolic sense, as a penile bone would be more obviously related to creation than a rib.
Do you know this is actually a mistranslation from Hebrew, or are you just repeating an urban legend?
Image search for הצלע pretty much gives rib (and rib cuts). On the other hand, it's unclear that all of the many biblical references to feet are meant literally as pedal extremities.