Left third costal cartilage

Looks like

The bar of cartilage joining the third rib to the side of the breastbone.

What it does

Links the rib to the sternum and bends with every breath.

Keeping it well

Can become tender and inflamed (costochondritis), a common harmless cause of chest pain. Heart pain must be ruled out first.

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