Humans typically have 24 ribs in total, arranged in 12 pairs—12 ribs on each side of the body. This is consistent for both men and women, debunking the myth that men have fewer ribs than women
. The ribs are categorized as follows:
- The first 7 pairs are called true ribs because they attach directly to the sternum via costal cartilage.
- The next 3 pairs (ribs 8 to 10) are false ribs ; they do not attach directly to the sternum but connect to the cartilage of the rib above.
- The last 2 pairs (ribs 11 and 12) are called floating ribs because they are only attached to the vertebrae at the back and do not connect to the sternum at all
Occasionally, some people may have extra ribs (called cervical ribs) or fewer ribs due to genetic variations, but these cases are rare
. In summary, the standard human rib count is:
- 12 pairs (24 ribs) total
- 7 pairs of true ribs
- 3 pairs of false ribs
- 2 pairs of floating ribs
This rib structure protects vital organs like the heart and lungs while allowing flexibility for breathing
