What is the difference between a true rib. a false rib and a floating rib

True rib : the first seven ribs attach to the sternum (the breast bone) in the front and are known as true ribs (or sternal ribs)

False ribs: the lower five ribs do not directly connect to the sternum and are known as false ribs  

Floating ribs :The floating ribs are less stable and risk breaking because they have only one attachment  

Dorsally to the vertebrae and have very thin bone tissue locked in muscle as they extend  

Laterally.

Seven pairs are called true ribs. Each rib is attached to the breastbone in the front and curves around to join on to one of the vertebrae that make up the backbone via a strip of costal cartilage.

There are three pairs of false ribs. These are attached to vertebrae but are not linked to the breastbone. Instead, each rib is attached to the rib above it by cartilage.

There are two pairs of floating ribs. These are attached only to the vertebrae of the backbone.