floating rib

noun, Anatomy

one member of the two lowest pairs of ribs, which are attached neither to the sternum nor to the cartilages of other ribs.

Origin

1825-35

British Dictionary definitions for floating rib

noun

any rib of the lower two pairs of ribs in man, which are not attached to the breastbone

floating rib in Medicine

floating rib n.
Any of the two lowest pairs of ribs with no anterior attachment to the sternum. Also called vertebral rib.