Role of Costal Cartilage in our Body?

Question

I'm considering getting a rhinoplasty and my plastic surgeon mentioned that he will need to get costal cartilages from my 6th and 7th ribs (from what i understand the ribs will become disconnected from the sternum).

Can the surgery possibly affect my athletic ability? Like would I be able to continue doing 200+lbs squats and 150+lbs bench press. Lastly, what's exactly the role of costal cartilage in our body?

Answer 1

First ... you're actually going to ask the question here instead of your surgeon?

OK ... here goes ...

Your costal cartilage attaches your ribs to your sternum.  As is the purpose of all cartilage, it is the flexible portion of your skeletal system and, in this case, it allows for the connection between the ribs and the sternum to move as you breathe.

Each time you exhale, the muscles (intercostals) between the ribs contract and pull the ribs slightly closer together so as to decrease the volume of your plural cavity which pushes air out of your lungs.  

Your surgeon will not remove so much cartilage that it will disconnect a rib from your sternum.  If that was done, the rib would not have an attachment to the sternum and would protrude.  Removal of some costal cartilage is very common.

The surgery will not affect your athletic ability.