When the Bottom Ribs Aren't Attached to the Breastbone Medically reviewed by Jane Kim, MD Floating ribs are a normal part of human anatomy, but like other ribs, they can be injured and cause pain.

By Shreoshree Chakrabarty: The ribs protect vital organs like the heart and lungs, but a strong impact to the chest can cause a broken rib or rib fracture. Though supported by muscles, ribs can break ...

Dear Doctors: I was in a car accident, and an X-ray showed I had two broken ribs. A second X-ray taken a month later showed I also had a cracked rib. Why didn’t that show up the first time? Why isn’t ...