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

. This count is the same for both men and women, debunking the myth that men have fewer ribs than women

. The ribs are categorized into three types based on their attachment:

• True ribs (first 7 pairs): These ribs attach directly to the sternum (breastbone) via costal cartilage

• False ribs (next 3 pairs, ribs 8-10): These ribs connect to the sternum indirectly by attaching to the cartilage of the rib above them

• Floating ribs (last 2 pairs, ribs 11-12): These ribs do not attach to the sternum at all; they are only connected to the vertebrae at the back

Occasionally, some people may have variations such as extra ribs (supernumerary ribs) or fewer ribs due to genetic anomalies, but these are rare exceptions

. In summary, the human rib cage consists of 24 ribs arranged in 12 pairs, serving to protect vital organs like the heart and lungs and providing structural support to the upper body