joint capsule
Last reviewed 01/2018
The capsule of the sternoclavicular joint is fibrous and surrounds the whole joint. Its attachments are the:
- articular margins of clavicle
- articular margins of sternum
- superior and medial surface of first costal cartilage
The capsule is thickened at a number of sites to form discrete ligaments:
- anterior sternoclavicular, supporting anteriorly
- posterior sternoclavicular, supporting posteriorly
- interclavicular ligament, supporting superiorly
The inferior area, lacking reinforcement, is the most frequent site of dislocation. Internally, the capsule is lined by a synovial membrane except where it is joined to the articular disc.
anterior sternoclavicular ligament (anatomy)