THE STERNO-COSTO-CLA VICULAR 



217 



to the other. The fibres m front, the anterior sterno-clavicular ligament, are 

 well marked, but more lax and less tough than the posterior, and are overlaid by 

 the tendinous sternal origin of the sternu-madoid, the fibres of which run parallel 

 to those of the ligament. They extend obliquely upwards and outwards from the 

 margin of the sternal facet to the anterior surface of the cla^dcle some little distance 

 from the articular margin. The fibres which cover in the joint below are short. 



Fig. 219. — Posterior View of the STERXO-cosTO-CLAVicrLAR Joint. 



Avoolly, and consist more of fibro-areolar tissue than true fibrous tissue; they 

 extend from the upper border of the first costal cartilage to the lower border of the 

 clavicle just external to the articular margin, and fill up the gap between it and the 

 rhomboid ligament. The superior portion consists of short tough fibres passing 

 from the sternum to the interarticular cartilage; and of others welding the fil:)ro- 



FiG. 220. — Anterior View of Sterno-costo-clavicular Joint. 



(The capsule is cut into on the left side to show the interarticular fibro-cartilage dividing the 



joint into two cavities.) 



Khomboid 

 ligament 

 Anterior 

 sterno- 

 clavicular 

 ligament 



cartilage to the upper edge of the clavicle, only a few of them passing from the 

 clavicle direct to the sternum. 



The interclavicular ligament (figs. 219 and 220) is a strong, concave band, 

 materially strengthening the superior portion of the capsule. It is nearly a quarter 

 of an inch (6 mm.) deep, with the concavity upwards, its upper border tapering to 

 a narrow, almost sharp edge. It is connected with the posterior superior angle of 



