Floating ribs
Costae fluctuantes
Definition
The floating ribs are ribs whose short, rudimentary costal cartilage ends freely within the flank musculature, without articulating with the sternum or with the cartilages of other ribs. They belong to the asternal (false) ribs.
The last pair of ribs is usually floating in most species.
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.
