How many floating ribs are there in the human body?

In the human body, there are two pairs of floating ribs, which means a total of four floating ribs. Floating ribs are the last two pairs of ribs in the rib cage (the 11th and 12th pairs) that are not attached directly to the sternum (breastbone) or to the ribs above them. This lack of attachment allows for a greater degree of movement and flexibility in the lower back. Unlike true ribs, which are attached directly to the sternum, floating ribs serve more of a protective role for the kidneys and other abdominal organs rather than contributing significantly to the rib structure as a whole. Each floating rib is only attached to the vertebrae of the spine at the back, which is why they are referred to as "floating."