Medical Gross Anatomy
Anatomy Tables - Joints

Joints and Ligaments of the Thorax - Listed Alphabetically

Joint or ligament Description Notes
costal cartilage the cartilage that caps the medial end of the rib costal cartilages of ribs 1-7 connect to the sternum; costal cartilages of ribs 8-10 connect to the costal cartilage of rib 7; costal cartilages of ribs 11 & 12 do not articulate anteriorly but end in the muscles of the abdominal wall
radiate sternocostal ligaments ligaments that reinforce the sternocostal joint capsule these ligaments connect the costal cartilages of ribs 1-7 with the sternum on both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the sternocostal articulation
sternal angle the angle formed by the articulation between the manubrium and the body of the sternum a synchondrosis; the cartilage within this joint usually does not become ossified until old age; the angle formed by this articulation is also called the angle of Louis; the sternal angle marks the level of the second costal cartilage from which all other ribs are counted
sternocostal joints the articulations that connect the costal cartilages with the sternum a synchondrosis (rib 1) or synovial joints (ribs 2-10); sternocostal synovial joints involving ribs 2-7 contain thin joint capsules; interchondral joints involving ribs 8-10 have simple gliding synovial articulations; radiate sternocostal ligaments reinforce the sternocostal articulations
xiphisternal joint the articulation that connects the xiphoid process with the body of the sternum a synchondrosis; the cartilage within this joint usually becomes ossified in old age; the xiphisternal joint marks the inferior extent of the thoracic cavity

The material presented in these tables is contained in the book:
MedCharts Anatomy by Thomas R. Gest & Jaye Schlesinger
Published by ILOC, Inc., New York
Copyright © 1995, unauthorized use prohibited.
 The excellent editorial assistance of
Dr. Pat Tank, UAMS
is gratefully acknowledged.
Copyright© 2000 Thomas R. Gest, PhD Unauthorized use prohibited.