Rib 12 (right) — floating rib

Function

Right-most rib, sharing muscle attachments with the diaphragm and quadratus lumborum; moves minimally during respiration.

Landmarks

• Single facet
• Very short shaft

Articulations (joints)

• T12 vertebral body only

Clinical relevance

Twelfth-rib resection opens the retroperitoneal approach to the adrenal gland and kidney.