1. Axial And Appendicular Skeleton

A free floating rib is neither a true or false rib. Ribs 1-7 are considered 'true' ribs because they are directly attached to the sternum by individual coastal cartilages. Ribs 8-10 are considered 'false' ribs because they are indirectly attached to the sternum by a common coastal cartilage. Ribs 11 and 12 are considered 'free floating' because they are neither directly or indirectly attached to the sternum.

Instead, they end in posterior abdominal musculature. They are still capped with cartilage though.

A free floating rib is neither a true or false rib. Ribs 1-7 are considered 'true' ribs because they are directly attached to the sternum by individual coastal cartilages. Ribs 8-10 are considered 'false' ribs because they are indirectly attached to the sternum by a common coastal cartilage. Ribs 11 and 12 are considered 'free floating' because they are neither directly or indirectly attached to the sternum.

Axial And Appendicular Skeleton

Instead, they end in posterior abdominal musculature. They are still capped with cartilage though.