Costochondral Joints

Description

Illustration of the costochondral joint

(a) The rotation centers of the costovertebral/costotransverse joints (CVCTJ) from the posterior view (blue nodes). (b) The centers of the costochondral joints (CCJ) from the anterior view, spherical joints (red nodes), and four-DOFs joints allowing three-DOFs rotation and one-DOF anterior-posterior translation (green nodes)

Name

• Costochondral Joint
• Chondrocostal synchondrosis
• Costochondral junction
• Costochondral synchondrosis

General

• Cartilaginous joint that connects the sternal end of each rib to its respective costal cartilage
• Classified as primary cartilaginous joints (synchondrosis) in which bones are joined by hyaline cartilage
• Ten pair of joints between ribs 1 through 10
• Immobile, functionally classified as synarthrosis

Ligaments

• None

Innervation

• Intercostal Nerves

Vascular Supply

• Intercostal Arteries

Action/Movements

• No movements
• Facilitates widening of the of the thoracic diameter during breathing

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Clinical Significance

• Costochondritis

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See Also

• Chest Pain Main
• Physical Exam Chest
• Thoracic Anatomy Main

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