Ans: The average person is born with 12 ribs on each side of the body, for a total of 24. Some people have more than 24 ribs when they are born. Supernumerary ribs refer to these extra ribs. Rib 1 is the most superior rib, and it articulates with the T1 thoracic vertebrae. The next rib down is rib 2, which links to the T2 thoracic vertebra, and so on.