Costal margin
Lower edge of the chest (thorax) formed by the bottom edge of the rib cage
title: "Costal margin" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["bones-of-the-thorax"] description: "Lower edge of the chest (thorax) formed by the bottom edge of the rib cage" topic_path: "general/bones-of-the-thorax" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costal_margin" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Lower edge of the chest (thorax) formed by the bottom edge of the rib cage ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox anatomy"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Costal margin |
| Latin | arcus costalis |
| Image | Gray115.png |
| Caption | Anterior surface of sternum and costal cartilages. (The costal margin forms a large upside-down V on the inferior border.) |
| :: |
| Name = Costal margin | Latin = arcus costalis | Image = Gray115.png | Caption = Anterior surface of sternum and costal cartilages. (The costal margin forms a large upside-down V on the inferior border.) | Image2 = | Caption2 = | System = The costal margin, also known as the costal arch, is the lower edge of the chest (thorax) formed by the bottom edge of the rib cage.
Structure
The costal margin is the medial margin formed by the cartilages of the seventh to tenth ribs. It attaches to the body and xiphoid process of the sternum.
The thoracic diaphragm attaches to the costal margin.
The costal angle is the angle between the left and right costal margins where they join the sternum.
Function
The costal margins somewhat protect the higher abdominal organs, such as the liver.
Clinical significance
The costal margin may be used for tissue harvesting of cartilage for use elsewhere in the body, such as to treat microtia.
Different abdominal organs may be palpated just below the costal margin, such as the liver on the right side of the body.
Pain across the costal margin is most commonly caused by costochondritis.
The costal paradox, also known as Hoover's sign and the costal margin paradox, is a sign where the costal angle decreases upon inspiration rather than increasing, indicating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
References
References
- (March 1983). "Costal chondritis: the costal arch". The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
- McGee, Steven. (2018-01-01). "Chapter 33 - Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease". Elsevier.
- (2020-01-01). "Lung Anatomy and Aging☆". Elsevier.
- McGee, Steven. (2018-01-01). "Chapter 51 - Palpation and Percussion of the Abdomen". Elsevier.
- (2011-01-01). "6.621 - Biomaterials and Their Application in Craniomaxillofacial Surgery". Elsevier.
- (2008-01-01). "Chapter 16 - Chronic Pain Management in Children". Mosby.
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