Humans typically have 24 ribs in total, arranged as 12 pairs—12 ribs on each side of the body

. These ribs form the rib cage, which protects vital organs such as the heart and lungs. The 12 pairs of ribs are categorized into three types:

• True ribs (1st to 7th pairs): These ribs connect directly to the sternum (breastbone) via their own costal cartilage

• False ribs (8th to 10th pairs): These ribs connect indirectly to the sternum by attaching to the cartilage of the rib above them

• Floating ribs (11th and 12th pairs): These ribs do not connect to the sternum at all and are only attached to the vertebrae at the back, giving them a "floating" appearance

While 24 ribs is the standard number, some people may have variations such as extra ribs (supernumerary ribs) or fewer ribs due to genetic anomalies, but these are exceptions rather than the rule

. In summary, the human body normally has 24 ribs, regardless of sex, arranged in 12 pairs