Pronunciation: [tɹˈuː ɹˈɪbz] (IPA) 
The phrase "true ribs" refers to the first seven ribs in the human ribcage, which are directly attached to the sternum. The correct spelling of this term is "trʊ rɪbz", with the first syllable pronounced like "
True ribs, also referred to as vertebrosternal ribs, are a group of ribs that are directly attached to the sternum or breastbone in the human skeletal system. These ribs are part of the ribcage or thoracic cage, which encloses and protects vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and liver.
Typically, there are twelve pairs of ribs in humans, in which the first seven pairs are considered true ribs. These ribs are called true ribs because they have a direct and independent attachment to the sternum via a costal cartilage, allowing them to connect the ribcage to the front of the chest. This attachment provides stability to the ribcage and protects the vital organs from external impact.
The true ribs are characterized by their curved shape, starting from the spine and arching towards the front of the body. Each rib consists of a bony portion, which originates from the thoracic vertebrae, and a cartilaginous portion, which eventually connects to the sternum through the costal cartilage.
Unlike true ribs, the remaining five pairs of ribs, known as false ribs, do not directly attach to the sternum. Instead, they either fuse with the cartilage of the rib above them or remain unattached, earning them the label of false ribs.
The term "true ribs" refers to the ribs that are directly connected to the sternum by their own cartilage, also known as the "costal cartilage". The etymology of the word "rib" can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled "ribb". The word's origins can be found in Germanic and Old Norse languages. In Old Norse, the word was "ribbi", which meant "rib" or "ridge". Similarly, in Old English and Anglo-Saxon, "ribb" also meant "rib" or the "sides of the body". The modern word "true" comes from Old English as well, where it was spelled "trēowe", meaning "faithful" or "consistent". In the context of "true ribs", it signifies that these ribs are directly attached to the sternum, unlike the floating ribs that do not connect to the sternum directly.
