How many false ribs, including floating ribs, are present in the human body?

The human ribcage consists of a total of 12 pairs of ribs, which are classified based on their attachment to the sternum. True ribs (the first seven pairs) directly articulate with the sternum, while the next three pairs are considered false ribs. False ribs do not have a direct attachment to the sternum; instead, they are attached to the cartilage of the ribs above. Among these false ribs, the last two pairs are known as floating ribs because they do not attach to the sternum or to the cartilage of other ribs at all.

Thus, when combining all forms of false ribs, which includes both the three pairs of false ribs and the two floating ribs, we find that there are a total of five false ribs in the human body. This classification helps in understanding the anatomy and the development of the ribcage, which plays a crucial role in protecting vital organs and facilitating respiratory functions.