Fifth costal cartilage
Cartilago costalis
SkeletalSkeletonThoraxLeft and right
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- What it is
- Bar of hyaline cartilage continuing the fifth rib to the sternum.
- Function
- Gives the rib cage the elasticity it needs for breathing and to absorb blows.
- Size
- ≈ 10 cm long
- Clinical note
- Costal cartilage often calcifies with age, stiffening the chest wall; inflammation of the costochondral joints (costochondritis) mimics heart pain.