False ribs [Asternal ribs] - Horse - Osteology - Thorax - vet-Anatomy
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False ribs [Asternal ribs]

Costae spuriae [asternales]

Definition

Géraldine Lefeuvre, Andréa Lopes da Costa

The false ribs (asternals) are the last pairs of ribs. The costal cartilage of the first three pairs of asternals ribs fuses with the cartilage of the last pair of sternals ribs to form the costal arch.

The very last ribs may sometimes have only a rudimentary costal cartilage, which ends in the flank musculature. They are therefore called floating ribs.

Variation :

  • In Dogs and Cats, they are 4 pairs of asternals ribs.

  • In Horses, they are 10 pairs of asternals ribs.

  • In Bovin, they are 5 pairs of asternals ribs.

References

  • Evans HE, de Lahunta A. Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog. 5th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2013. Chapter 4, The skeleton; p. 80–157.

  • Barone R. Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques, Tome 1, Ostéologie, 5th edition, Vigot, Paris, 2017.

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