The radiate ligaments connect the front portion of the head of each rib with the side of the bodies of two vertebrae and the intervertebral fibrocartilage between them. The radiate sternocostal ligaments (sometimes called the sternocostal ligaments) are made up of broad and thin membranous bands that radiate from the ventral and dorsal surfaces of the sternal ends of the cartilages of the true ribs to the front and back surfaces of the sternum (breastbone).