How many ribs are there in total in the human body?

The human body typically contains 24 ribs in total, which are arranged as 12 pairs. Each pair of ribs is attached to the thoracic vertebrae in the back and either directly or indirectly to the sternum in the front. The first seven pairs are known as "true ribs" because they connect directly to the sternum via their own costal cartilage. The next three pairs are considered "false ribs" as they do not attach directly to the sternum but instead connect to the cartilaginous structure of the rib above them. The last two pairs are termed "floating ribs" since they do not attach to the sternum at all, providing flexibility to the rib cage while protecting vital organs in the thoracic cavity. Understanding this anatomical structure and arrangement is crucial for those in healthcare and related fields.