Rib Cartilages

cartilagines costales

The costal cartilages connect the rib ends to the sternum (ribs 1 through 7) or to the cartilage above (ribs 8 through 10), providing the flexible anterior chest wall that allows respiratory expansion while maintaining structural continuity. They are composed of hyaline cartilage that calcifies progressively with age, beginning in the fourth decade and producing the chalky irregular densities visible on chest radiographs in older adults. The cartilaginous matrix allows slight deformation during breathing and protects against anterior chest wall fractures by absorbing energy.

Region: Chest

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Costochondral junction pain (costochondritis) specifically involves the fibrous junction between the rib and its cartilage, producing a localised anterior chest pain reproduced by direct palpation that mimics cardiac pain. Tietze syndrome involves visible and palpable swelling at the affected junction, most commonly at the second or third costochondral junction. Progressive costal cartilage calcification in older adults occasionally fragments producing the loose chip fracture appearance that can be confused with neoplastic calcification on imaging.