false rib

noun Anatomy.

any of the lower five ribs on either side of the body, which are not directly attached to the sternum.

Origin of false rib

First recorded in 1490–1500

Words nearby false rib

false positive, false pregnancy, false pretences, false pretenses, false relation, false rib, false ribs, false scorpion, false solomon's-seal, false start, false step

British Dictionary definitions for false ribs

false ribs

pl n

any of the lower five pairs of ribs in man, attached behind to the thoracic vertebrae but in front not attached directly to the breastbone See floating rib

Medical definitions for false ribs

false rib

n.

Any of the five pairs of lower ribs that do not articulate directly with the sternum.