Where does this come from, and can I check it?

Most ribs join at the sternum while the bottom two pairs float freely. The figure is taken from MedlinePlus, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

Is this really a human body fact?

Yes. It sits on the Human Body shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.

What else can I read about it?

The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.

Mondo Knows Facts

The human rib cage contains twelve pairs of ribs

Most ribs join at the sternum while the bottom two pairs float freely

The human thoracic cage typically consists of 24 individual ribs organised into 12 pairs. The upper seven pairs attach directly to the breastbone, while the lower two floating pairs connect only to vertebrae at the back, providing flexible protection for the lungs and heart.

Where this comes from

MedlinePlus

Facts that can change over time are reviewed and updated. If something here looks wrong, Mondo would rather know than be confidently incorrect.

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Tags: bones, ribs, chest

The human rib cage contains twelve pairs of ribs: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: Most ribs join at the sternum while the bottom two pairs float freely. The figure is taken from MedlinePlus, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a human body fact?: Yes. It sits on the Human Body shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.