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Britannica Sources used in this answer

How many pairs of ribs are in the human rib cage?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Front and back views of the human skeleton are shown side by side, with labeled bones including the skull, spine, ribs, pelvis, arms, legs, hands, and feet. Insets detail the bones of the foot and hand, highlighting major bone groups and anatomical terms.
human skeleton Front and back views of the human skeleton.

The human rib cage normally contains 12 pairs of ribs, totaling 24 individual bones.12

These ribs are categorized based on their attachment to the sternum:

  • True ribs: The first seven pairs, which attach directly to the sternum via costal cartilages.12
  • False ribs: The 8th, 9th, and 10th pairs, which do not join the sternum directly but instead connect to the cartilage of the 7th rib.12
  • Floating ribs: The 11th and 12th pairs, which are smaller and do not reach the front of the body, ending instead in the abdominal wall muscle.12

The rib cage serves to protect vital organs, such as the lungs and heart, while providing a semirigid, expansile structure that supports breathing.2