BoneIrregular bone

Eighth costal cartilage

Latin: Cartilago costalis VIII sinistra

Location: Thorax — lower

Paired structure: one on the left and one on the right side of the body.

View the eighth costal cartilage in 3D

Function

First false-rib cartilage, climbing to join the margin's shared bar and shielding the spleen's lower pole.

Landmarks

  • Joins the chondral bar

Articulations (joints)

  • Eighth rib
  • Seventh costal cartilage (indirect)

Clinical relevance

Kehr's sign — left shoulder pain from splenic irritation — arises when blood touches the diaphragm this cartilage borders.

Educational anatomy reference, not medical advice. About this content.