Eleventh rib

Bones · Latin: Undecima costa

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The phrase floating rib or vertebral rib (Latin: costae fluctuantes) refers to the two lowermost, the eleventh and twelfth rib pairs; so-called because they are attached only to the vertebrae–and not to the sternum or cartilage of the sternum.

These ribs are relatively small and delicate, and include a cartilaginous tip.