Search
costal cartilage
One of the cartilages connecting the sternum with the anterior aspect of the 12 thoracic ribs.
Structure:
- the 1st 7 are connected with the sternum, the next 3 with the lower border of the cartilage of the preceding rib.
- the cartilages of the last 2 ribs have pointed extremities, which terminate in free ends in the walls of the abdomen
Function:
- costal cartilages contribute to the elasticity of the thoracic wall.
Pathology:
- in old age they become of a deep yellow color & are prone to calcify
General
cartilage
References
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999.
- Gray's Anatomy, facsimile edition, TP Pick & R Howden (eds),
The Ann Arbor Media Group, LLC, Ann Arbor, MI, 2003.
Images
images related to costal cartilage