Final answer:
The statement is true; most ribs are connected to the sternum via costal cartilages, with true ribs attaching directly and false ribs attaching indirectly or not at all.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Costal cartilages join most ribs to the sternum.' is TRUE. Anteriorly, the end of each rib is connected by a piece of costal cartilage.
True ribs (1-7), also known as vertebrosternal ribs, have their costal cartilage attaching directly to the sternum. On the other hand, false ribs (8-12), or vertebrochondral ribs, do not attach directly to the sternum. Ribs 8-10 are connected to the costal cartilage of the next higher rib while the last two ribs, known as floating ribs (11-12), do not attach to the sternum or another rib and end within the musculature of the lateral abdominal wall.
The costal cartilages are made up of hyaline cartilage and facilitate the attachment of the ribs to the sternum, either directly or indirectly. Thus, most ribs, except the floating ribs, are joined to the sternum through their costal cartilages.