What term refers to the ribs that do not attach directly to the sternum?

The term that refers to the ribs that do not attach directly to the sternum is indeed "False Ribs." There are two types of ribs that fall into this category: those that are indirectly connected to the sternum via the costal cartilage and those that do not connect to the sternum at all. False ribs are primarily classified as the 8th through 12th ribs in the human ribcage.

False ribs differ from true ribs, which are the first seven pairs of ribs that are directly attached to the sternum, providing stability and protection for the thoracic cavity. Floating ribs, which are also part of the false rib category, specifically refer to the last two ribs (the 11th and 12th ribs) that do not attach to the sternum or to any other ribs. The term "fixed ribs" is not commonly used in anatomical terminology to describe any group of ribs.

Understanding these classifications of ribs is essential for medical administrative assistants, as it relates to anatomy and can be important for documentation, patient education, and medical records.