The<unk>  cage consists of 12 pairs of<unk> s including the true<unk> s (1st to 7th), false<unk> s (8th to 10th), and the floating<unk> s (11th and 12th). The true<unk> s are directly connected to the sternum by the costal cartilage. Similarly, the false<unk> s also connect to the sternum through costal cartilages, however indirectly through a connection to the costal cartilage of the<unk>  above it. Unlike the true and false<unk> s, the floating 11th and 12th<unk> s do not connect to the sternum. Muscles of the thoracic cage There is an extensive number of muscle groups that surround the floating<unk> s such as the external oblique, quadratus lumborum, latissimus dorsi, levator costarum, external intercostals, serratus posterior inferior, lumbocostal ligament, iliocostalis, longissimus thoracis, and the costodiaphragmatic pleural recess. A hypermobile floating<unk>  can cause irritation to these muscles, which as a result can cause variation in the location and intensity of pain felt with<unk> . Additionally, there is a complex nervous system surrounding the floating<unk> s. The 12th intercostal nerve communicates with the first lumbar nerve, closely travels next to the subcostal artery, travels behind the kidney, through the aponeurosis of the transversus abdominis, communicates with the iliohypogastric nerve, and gives a branch to the pyramidalis. Irritation of the lower intercostal nerves and surrounding tissues can cause neuropathic pain that may travel or radiate to other parts of the body, such as in the groin or the suprapubic area.
Twelfth rib syndrome
Slipping rib syndrome
Iliocostal friction syndrome
Scalp–ear–nipple syndrome
Rib fracture
Thoracic insufficiency syndrome
Lung hernia
Thoracic outlet syndrome