regional structure
Last reviewed 01/2018
The ribs of the thoracic cage may be classified according to their regional articulation anteriorly:
- vertebrosternal ribs: ribs 2-6 or 7
- vertebrocostal ribs: ribs 7 or 8 to 10
- 'floating' ribs: ribs 11 and 12
An alternative scheme is:
- true ribs; articulate with vertebrae and sternum directly - the vertebrosternal group
- false ribs; articulate with vertebrae directly and sternum indirectly (via costal cartilage of another rib) or not at all. Comprise ribs 8 to 12 on each side.