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]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 ribfloating 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