Ribs (overview) (English)

The ribs can be divided into groups based on which structure they articulate with anteriorly. The first seven pairs of ribs articulate directly with the sternum through their costal cartilages and are known as the true ribs or vertebrosternal ribs. The joints between the ribs and their cartilages are called costochondral joints, while the joints between the cartilages and sternum are called the sternochondral joints.The eighth through tenth ribs unite anteriorly via their costal cartilages and articulate indirectly with the sternum via the seventh rib; they are known as false ribs or vertebrocostal ribs. The eleventh and twelfth ribs are known as floating ribs as they do not attach to the sternum in any manner and are particularly short; they do not have a neck or tubercle.