A rib is called a "floating rib" if it does not attach to the sternum, (which is the breast bone), or to another rib. There are usually twelve pairs of ribs in all. The floating ribs are the last two ribs. They are the 11th and 12th. They are attached only to the vertabrae and not to the sternum or the cartilage of the sternum. These ribs are small and delicate, and they have a tip. The 11th and 12th ribs, (the floating ribs) have a single articular facet on the head, which is rather large in size. They have no necks or tubercles and are pointed at the ends. The 11th has a slight angle and shallow costal groove, and the 12th does not. The 12th rib is much shorter than the 11th rib and it's head is inclined slightly downward.