How to Pronounce Costal Cartilage

Say it like this: KOS-tal KAR-tih-lij. The first word rhymes with "cost," and the second word sounds like "cartridge" but ends with "lij" instead of "rij." The stress falls on the first syllable of each word: KOS and KAR.

Costal comes from the Latin word "costa," which means "rib." So whenever you see the word "costal" in medical terms, it's referring to something related to the ribs.

Cartilage is a flexible, rubbery tissue in your body that's softer than bone but firmer than muscle. It's the same material that makes up your ears and the tip of your nose.

Sure! Costal breaks into two syllables: COS-tal. Cartilage breaks into three: CAR-tih-lij. Together it's five syllables: COS-tal CAR-tih-lij.

Costal cartilage is the flexible connector between your ribs and your breastbone in the middle of your chest. It acts like a cushion and allows your rib cage to move when you breathe.

Many people stress the wrong syllable in "cartilage" and say car-TIL-ij instead of CAR-tih-lij. Remember: the stress is on the first syllable, just like in "cartoon."

Yes! You might hear terms like "intercostal" (which means between the ribs) or "costal margin" (the edge of the rib cage). They all use "costal" because they're describing parts related to the ribs.

You might read or hear: "The doctor examined the patient's costal cartilage during the physical exam." Or: "Costal cartilage gives the rib cage its flexibility."