The vertebrocostal ribs are those connecting the lower thoracic vertebrae with the costal cartilage that is common to the costal margin. It includes ribs 7 or 8 inferiorly down to rib 10.
Anteriorly, the costal cartilage of each rib is attached to the costal cartilage of the superior rib. Posteriorly, the articulation of the ribs is the same as that of the vertebrosternal ribs but the costotransverse joint facet articulations are flat. This permits only gliding movements with resultant superolateral excursion of the vertebrocostal ribs during inspiration.
They are called false ribs because their costal cartilages do not attach directly to the sternum.
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