floating rib


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floating rib

n.
A false rib whose anterior end is unattached. The lowest two pairs of human ribs are floating ribs.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

rib

(rib) [AS. ribb]
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RIB CAGE: Anterior view
One of a series of 12 pairs of narrow, curved bones extending laterally and anteriorly from the sides of the thoracic vertebrae and forming a part of the skeletal thorax. With the exception of the vertebral ribs, they are connected to the sternum by costal cartilages. See: illustration

asternal rib

False rib.

bicipital rib

An irregular condition resulting from the fusion of two ribs, usually involving the first rib.

cervical rib

A supernumerary rib sometimes developing in connection with a cervical vertebra, usually the lowest.

false rib

One of the lower ribs (8, 9, and 10) that do not join the sternum directly. Their cartilage connects to the cartilage of the seventh rib. The variation in the anatomy of the lower ribs may be considerable (i.e., there may be only two false ribs).
Synonym: vertebrochondral rib

floating rib

Vertebral rib.

lumbar rib

A rudimentary rib that develops in relation to a lumbar vertebra.

slipping rib

A rib in which the costal cartilage dislocates repeatedly.

spring fracture of rib

Outward displacement of the end of a broken rib, seen on x-ray examination of ribs that are broken by compression rather than by direct blows to the chest.

sternovertebral rib

True rib.

true rib

Any of ribs 1–7, which articulate directly with the sternum. Synonym: sternovertebral rib

vertebral rib

Any of ribs 1–7, which articulate directly with the sternum.

vertebrochondral rib

False rib.

vertebrocostal rib

Any of the three false ribs on each side.
Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners

floating rib

One of the two lowest pairs of short ribs that have no attachment at the front to the breastbone or the COSTAL CARTILAGES but end among the abdominal muscles.
Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005
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References in periodicals archive ?
Floating Rib One member of the two lowest pairs of ribs, which are attached neither to the sternum nor to the cartilage of other ribs.
An Interview with Nicky Beer
Describing the warrior who began the onslaught he writes: "He howled and arched his back and drove his spear into the white man's floating ribs. Michael screamed, groaned a deep, inhuman sound.
Speared, gutted, roasted on a fire... then eaten by cannibals. How the great-grandson of the world's richest man met his end; RIDDLE OF THE VANISHED ROCKEFELLER IS SOLVED
There were 13 pairs of ribs; the first seven pairs were sternal (costae verae) and the remaining six pairs were asternal (costae spuriae) of which the last 2-3 pairs were floating ribs (costae fluctuantes) having no distinct attachment to the costal arch.
The vertebral column, ribs, and sternum of the African giant rat (cricetomys gambianus waterhouse)

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