This is an inflammation of cartilage in your chest. Cartilage is a flexible tissue found in joints throughout your body. Costochondritis involves the cartilage that connects your ribs to your sternum. The sternum is also known as the "breastbone."
This is an opening we make in your chest. It lets us get to your lungs and other organs. We can do several things through the thoracotomy. We can examine your organs. We can take a tissue sample. And, we can perform surgery through the opening.
