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costal

Costal is an anatomical term derived from the Latin costa, meaning “rib.” As an adjective, it describes structures related to the ribs or the rib cage. In medical and scientific usage, it appears in terms such as costal cartilage, costal margin, costal arch, costal groove, and in joint names like costovertebral and sternocostal.

Anatomy and terminology

The human rib cage consists of 12 pairs of ribs. Each rib has a costal cartilage at

Clinical notes

Costal-related conditions include costochondritis, an inflammation of the costal cartilage near the sternum. Fractures can involve

See also

Costal cartilage, costal groove, costovertebral joint, sternocostal joint, costochondritis. The term “costal” is distinct from “coastal,”

its
anterior
end,
which
in
the
upper
ribs
attaches
to
the
sternum
or
to
the
cartilage
of
the
rib
above.
Costal
cartilage
contributes
to
the
flexibility
and
expansion
of
the
thoracic
wall.
The
inferior
border
of
each
rib
features
a
costal
groove
that
houses
intercostal
vessels
and
nerves.
The
joints
involving
costal
elements
include
costovertebral
joints
(rib
articulations
with
thoracic
vertebrae)
and
sternocostal
joints
(rib
cartilages
articulating
with
the
sternum).
Ribs
are
categorized
as
true
(1–7,
directly
connected
to
the
sternum),
false
(8–10,
connected
to
cartilage
of
the
rib
above),
and
floating
(11–12,
lacking
anterior
attachments
to
the
sternum).
the
ribs
and
may
affect
surrounding
costal
cartilage
or
intercostal
structures.
The
term
“costal”
is
also
used
in
veterinary
anatomy
to
describe
rib-related
features
in
other
animals.
which
relates
to
the
shore
or
coast.