Ligament · Chest

Radiate sternocostal ligaments

Ligamenta sternocostalia radiata

Flat fans of fibres spreading from the end of each costal cartilage onto the front and back of the breastbone, so that every rib meets the sternum through a splay rather than a point. Fibres from one side interlace with those of the other and with the periosteum, and together they build a dense felted layer over the bone known as the sternal membrane. They bind the cartilage firmly while still permitting the small gliding movement that occurs at each of these joints with every breath.