Costochondral and interchondral joints

Study entry

Classification

Costochondral: primary cartilaginous (hyaline). Interchondral: synovial plane joint between the costal cartilages of the 6th-7th, 7th-8th and 8th-9th ribs; between those of the 9th and 10th ribs it is fibrous.

Surfaces

Costochondral: lateral end of the costal cartilage with the sternal end of the rib. Interchondral: adjacent costal cartilages.

Capsule

Costochondral: cartilage and bone united by the periosteum. Interchondral: interchondral ligaments.

Movements

Normally there is no movement at the costochondral joint; the costal cartilage gives flexibility.

Blood supply

[CHECK: Moore does not describe it in the passages consulted (look in another source).]

Innervation

[CHECK: Moore does not describe it in the passages consulted (look in another source).]

Source: cap. 4, tabla 4-1 e «Articulaciones de la pared torácica»

Other structures in this region

• Joints of the heads of the ribs (costovertebral)
• Costotransverse joints
• Sternocostal joints
• Manubriosternal joint (symphysis)
• Xiphisternal joint (synchondrosis)