Why Are They Called False Ribs?

False rib: One of the last five pairs of ribs. A rib is said to be false if it does not attach to the sternum (the breastbone). ... The last two false ribs usually have no ventral attachment to anchor them in front and so are called floating, fluctuating, or vertebral ribs.

Why do the ribs have names like true/false and floating?

The next three sets of ribs are considered false ribs as they are attached to the strum by costal cartilage links to the sternum. The last two pairs of ribs are floating ribs because they are not attached to the sternum.

What ribs are called false ribs and why?

(b) False ribs

The three pairs of ribs i.e., 8th, 9th and 10th do not directly articulate with the sternum rather it joins the cartilage of 7th pair of ribs and hence are called false ribs.