Question

The number of floating ribs, in the human body, is

• A. 6 pairs
• B. 5 pairs
• C. 3 pairs
• D. 2 pairs

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Ribs are $12$ pairs, semicircular bones extended from thoracic vertebrae towards sternum. Each rib has an anterior cartilaginous sternal part and a posterior, bony vertebral part.
In man upper $7$ pairs ribs are attached to the sternum directly (true ribes) while $8^{\text{th}}{9}^{\text{th}}$ and $10^{\text{th}}$ pairs of ribs are called false ribs because they are not directly attached to sternum instead they first attached to $7^{\text{th}}$pair of ribs. And last two pairs of ribs i.e., $11^{\text{th}}$ and $12^{\text{th}}$ are known as floating ribs, because their sternal. parts remain free.