Which type of ribs are also known as 'floating ribs'?

The term 'floating ribs' specifically refers to the 11th and 12th pairs of ribs in the human rib cage. Unlike the true ribs (the first seven pairs) which are directly attached to the sternum via coastal cartilage, and the false ribs (the 8th to 10th pairs) which are connected to the sternum indirectly, floating ribs are not connected to the sternum at all. Instead, they are only attached at the back to the vertebrae and do not have any anterior connections, which is characteristic of their function. They provide some level of protection to the lower organs, such as the kidneys, but they are more mobile and less anchored compared to other ribs. This unique structure is what distinguishes them as 'floating' in anatomical terminology.