False ribs are a group of ribs in the human body that do not attach directly to the sternum (breastbone). Instead, they connect to the costal cartilage of the ribs above them. There are typically five pairs of false ribs, numbered from the 8th to the 12th rib. These ribs provide some protection to the organs in the thoracic cavity while allowing for flexibility and movement of the ribcage. The false ribs include both vertebrochondral ribs, which connect indirectly to the sternum, and floating ribs, which do not connect to the sternum at all.