Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Floating ribs are the last two pairs of ribs in the human rib cage that are not attached to the sternum or to other ribs by cartilage at their anterior ends. Unlike other ribs, they are attached only to the vertebrae at the back.
The long flat bone located in the central part of the chest, serving as a major attachment point for ribs and providing structural protection for thoracic organs.
A flexible, rubbery connective tissue found throughout the body that provides structure and cushioning at joints, including where some ribs connect to the sternum.