Floating ribs

(Anat.) the lower or posterior ribs which are not connected with the others in front; in man they are the last two pairs.

See also: Floating

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by G. & C. Merriam Co.

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There are twelve ribs, you know, and the two lower ones are called floating ribs, because they are not fastened to the breastbone.

"I fell down and four of my floating ribs were broken.

The two lowest pairs of ribs do not connect to the sternum but float freely and are called 'the "floating ribs."

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