Left second costal cartilage

Looks like

The cartilage joining the second rib to the sternal angle, the ridge where the top and body of the breastbone meet.

What it does

Joins the rib to the sternum through a small gliding joint.

Keeping it well

A key landmark: the sternal angle points to the second rib, used to count ribs in examinations.

Related conditions

• Gout
• Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
• Lyme disease
• Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
• Osteoarthritis
• Pleural effusion
• Pneumothorax
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Temporomandibular joint disorder