Question

What are true ribs, false ribs, and floating ribs? Why are floating ribs easily broken?

Answer 1

True ribs:

1. True ribs are the first seventh pairs in the rib bones.
2. True ribs are also called vertebro-sternal ribs.
3. True ribs are attached to the sternum and vertebrae from the front and back end.
4. This forms the upper part of the rib cage.
5. The vertebrae are thoracic vertebrae.

False ribs:

1. False ribs are present in the eighth, ninth, and tenth pairs of rib bones.
2. These are called vertebro-chondral ribs.
3. False ribs are connected to the sternum through the seventh rib bones only.
4. These are not joined directly to the sternum like true ribs.

Floating ribs:

1. Floating bones are located in the eleventh and twelfth pairs of rib bones.
2. These are the last two pairs of rib bones of the rib cage.
3. They are attached to one end of the vertebrae of the spinal cord.
4. The other end of the floating rib is free.
5. Their weak attachment with the vertebrae and zero attachment with the sternum make it injury prone.
6. Hence floating ribs are fragile.
7. These are attached to the vertebral column at one point.