Sternoclavicular joint

Last revised by Carlos Eduardo Barbosa Ponte on 5 Mar 2024

The sternoclavicular joint is a synovial joint between the medial clavicle, manubrium and the first costal cartilage that joins the upper limb with the axial skeleton

There are two non-congruent articular surfaces forming a saddle joint 3:

  • medial clavicle: larger of the two

  • clavicular notch of the sternum: smaller of the two

The articular surfaces are covered with fibrocartilage (rather than hyaline cartilage as in most other synovial joints). The joint space is divided into two separate recesses by a fibrocartilage articular disc 1,2.

Due to the non-congruent articular facets, much of the joint stability comes from surrounding ligaments 3,4

  • anterior and posterior sternoclavicular ligament: thickenings of the joint capsule

  • interclavicular ligament: between the superomedial ends of the clavicles, extends between the clavicles, over the top of the manubrium,

  • costoclavicular ligament

  • articular disc 

    • flat and oval in shape

    • made of fibrocartilage (like the menisci of the knee and labrum of the hip and shoulder)

    • attached to the joint capsule anteriorly and posteriorly, first costal cartilage inferiorly and the clavicle superiorly

  • synovial membrane

    • the joint is enclosed by a synovial membrane, which secretes synovial fluid to lubricate the joint, facilitating smooth movements.

  • capsule

    • the joint is surrounded by a fibrous capsule that encloses the joint, providing additional support and protection.

  • medial supraclavicular and subclavian nerves 5

  • ~2.5% of the population have an inferior facet for articulation with the first rib 3

  • perforation of the articular disc, where the joint recesses are in communication 3

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