Costal cartilage is a type of hyaline cartilage that serves to prolong the ribs forward and contributes to the elasticity of the walls of the thorax. It is connected to the bony rib at the costochondral junction and articulates with the sternum, contributing to the structure and flexibility of the thoracic cage and anterior chest wall. There are ten costal cartilages bilaterally, one for each of the corresponding 1st to 10th ribs, and each of the first seven ribs forms one of the seven costochondral joints. The costal cartilages vary in length, breadth, and direction, and they increase in length from the first to the seventh, then gradually decrease to the twelfth. They also vary in direction, with the first descending a little to the sternum, the second being horizontal, the third ascending slightly, and the others following the course of the ribs for a short distance and then ascending to the sternum or preceding cartilage.
In summary, costal cartilage is an essential component of the thoracic cage, contributing to the structure and flexibility of the chest wall and playing a crucial role in the mechanics of breathing and protecting the internal organs.
