false ribs

noun Anatomy.

1. any of the lower five ribs on either side of the body, which are not directly attached to the sternum.

pl n

1. any of the lower five pairs of ribs in man, attached behind to the thoracic vertebrae but in front not attached directly to the breastboneSee floating rib

n.

1. Any of the five pairs of lower ribs that do not articulate directly with the sternum.