Anatom3DFloating ribs (11–12)
Costae fluctuantes · Volná žebra (11–12)
Skeleton
Looks like
The last two pairs of ribs, short and pointed, ending free in the muscle of the flank without reaching the breastbone.
What it does
Guard the back of the kidneys and give the lower chest room to flex and twist.
Keeping it well
A fall or blow to the lower back can break them; blood in the urine or pain spreading into the belly after such a blow means the kidney or spleen may be hurt and needs a same-day check.
Related conditions
- Acromegaly
- Bone metastases and spinal cord compression
- Costochondritis
- Fractures
- Fragility fracture
- Frailty & falls in older age
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
- Osteomalacia & rickets
- Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
- Osteoporosis
- Paget's disease of bone
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumothorax
- Sarcoma
- Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
- Vitamin D deficiency