Ribs (overview) (Latin)

The costae 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 costae verae or costae vertebrosternales. The joints between the costae and their cartilagines costales are called juncturae costochondraes, while the joints between the cartilages and sternum are called articulationes sternochondrales.Costae 8-10 unite anteriorly via their cartilagines costales and articulate indirectly with the sternum via costae 7; they are known as costae spuriae or costae vertebrocostales. Costae 11-12 ribs are known as costae fluctuantes as they do not attach to the sternum in any manner and are particularly short; they do not have a collum/tuberculum costae.