Your 12th rib is located at the lowest part of your rib cage.
Understanding the Rib Cage
The rib cage protects vital organs and has specific characteristics for each rib pair. Here's what you need to know about the 12th rib:
- Position: According to reference information, the 11th and 12th rib pairs are the lowest in the rib cage.
- Floating Ribs: Unlike the upper ribs, the 12th rib does not connect to the sternum (breastbone) at the front of the body. These ribs are also called "floating ribs" because they are only attached at the back to the spine.
- Location: The 12th rib extends from the spine out toward your sides and doesn’t reach the front.
Location Details of the 12th Rib
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Placement | Lowest part of the rib cage |
| Attachment | Attached only to the spine in the back; not to the sternum (breastbone) in front. |
| Type | Floating rib |
| Reach | Extends from the spine towards the sides, not reaching the front of the body |
Additional Points to Note
- Shorter Ribs: The 12th ribs, and the 11th ribs are shorter than other ribs.
- Function: They provide protection to the kidneys, and flexibility to the abdomen.
- Number: There are twelve rib pairs, with the 12th rib being the last and lowest.
