Question

There are 11 pairs of ribs in man.
(a) True
(b) False

Answer 1

Hint: Human ribs are flat bones that form part of the rib cage to help to protect internal organs. Most of the ribs are joined to the sternum at the front of the body by the costal cartilage. The ribs are of various types that include true ribs, false ribs, floating ribs, etc.

Complete answer:
In our body 24 ribs are present, 12 ribs are present on the right side while the other 12 ribs are present on the left side of the body. Every rib is flat, and thin and is found to be connected to the vertebral column dorsally while ventrally it is connected to the sternum. It is called bicephalic because it has two surfaces with articulations on its dorsal end. These ribs are surrounded or enclosed in a ribcage. The ribcage is the structure present in the chest region of humans that helps in the protection of different body organs. They enclose soft organs and blood vessels present in the thoracic region of the body. The soft organs include the lungs and heart. They also help in protecting the diaphragm and other abdominal organs.
The true ribs are seven pairs in number and they are known as true ribs because they are attached to the thoracic vertebrae dorsally while it is attached to the sternum ventrally associated with the sternum via ligament.
The false ribs are three in number and are intermediate between the true ribs and the false ribs and are also called the vertebrochondral ribs. The Vertebrochondral ribs are from the eighth-to-twelfth pair of ribs. The ribs from ${ 8 }^{ th }$ to ${ 10 }^{ th }$ pairs do not connect directly to the sternum and are connected through the costal cartilages of the ribs above them.
The floating ribs can be easily broken because they are attached to the vertebrae in only one place and their tissues that connect them with the bones are very thin while their other end is free from attachment.

So, the correct answer is ‘False’.

Note:
Each rib consists of a head, neck, and shaft. In males, the rib cage is expanded during puberty due to the presence of testosterone. Thus, males have broad shoulders and expanded chests, this helps them to inhale more air and supply more oxygen to their muscles. The number of ribs may sometimes vary. It is found that 1 in 200-500 people have cervical ribs which is additional.