The human rib cage contains three distinct types of ribs:
True Ribs (Vertebrosternal Ribs)
- These are ribs 1-7.
- They attach directly to the sternum (breastbone) via their own individual costal cartilage. This direct connection is key to their classification as "true" ribs.
False Ribs (Vertebrochondral Ribs)
- These are ribs 8-10.
- They indirectly connect to the sternum. Their costal cartilage doesn't attach directly to the sternum but instead joins the cartilage of the rib above it, forming a chain leading to the sternum.
Floating Ribs (Vertebral Ribs)
- These are ribs 11-12.
- They are also known as free ribs because they have no connection to the sternum. They attach only to the vertebrae in the back.
This classification is based on how the ribs connect to the sternum. The provided references consistently support this three-part categorization. While other articles discuss different types of ribs based on animal source and culinary cuts (like pork spare ribs, baby back ribs, etc.), the question specifically asks about the anatomical types of human ribs.
