Floating ribs
Floating ribs
Floating ribs (/ˈfloʊtɪŋ rɪbz/), also known as vertebral ribs, are the two lowermost, twelfth and sometimes the eleventh rib, pairs of the human rib cage.
Etymology
The term "floating rib" is derived from the fact that these ribs do not attach to the sternum or to other ribs and are thus "floating". The term "vertebral rib" refers to their connection only with the vertebrae.
Anatomy
Floating ribs are a part of the human skeletal system. Unlike the other ribs, they are not connected to the sternum or other ribs by costal cartilage. Instead, they are attached only to the vertebrae. This gives them a certain degree of mobility and allows them to move relatively freely, hence the term "floating".
Related terms
- Rib cage: The rib cage is the arrangement of ribs attached to the vertebral column and sternum in the thorax of most vertebrates, that encloses and protects the heart and lungs.
- Costal cartilage: Costal cartilages are bars of hyaline cartilage that serve to prolong the ribs forward and contribute to the elasticity of the walls of the thorax.
- Sternum: The sternum or breastbone is a long flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, thus helping to protect the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels from injury.
- Vertebrae: The vertebrae are the individual bones that stack up to make the spine (vertebral column). The vertebrae are numbered and divided into regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Floating ribs
- Wikipedia's article - Floating ribs
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