BoneIrregular bone
Sixth costal cartilage
Cartilago costalis VI sinistra
- Location:
- Thorax — lower anterior
- Paired structure: one on the left and one on the right side of the body.
Function
Left costal-margin mason — its cartilage merges upward and downward, forming the mobile rim over stomach and spleen.
Landmarks
- Upper costal margin
Articulations (joints)
- Sixth rib
- Sternum and the chondral union with rib 7
Clinical relevance
The spleen lies beneath the left 9th–11th ribs posterolaterally; left-sided costal pain after trauma warrants splenic imaging.
Educational anatomy reference, not medical advice. About this content.