The Probert Encyclopaedia of Medicine

RIB

In anatomy, the ribs are elastic arches of bone which are connected behind with the vertebral column and form a large part of the skeleton of the thorax. In man there are twelve ribs on either side, seven true ribs connected with the sternum and the vertebral column behind, and five false or floating ribs, the upper three being connected in front with the cartilages of the ribs above them. The lowest two having free extremeties in front.
Research Rib