The sternoclavicular joint is the only true articulation between the upper limb and axial skeleton. It obviously involves the sternal end of the clavicle and the manubrium of the sternum. The sternal end of the clavicle also articulates with the first rib and its costal cartilage.
It is a very stable joint supported both by a fibrous capsule and surrounding ligaments including the interclavicular ligament which spans between the two clavicles and attaches to the superior part of the manubrium.
Due to its stability it is only rarely dislocated.
Despite this stability it is still capable of a considerable range of movement. Structurally the joint is classified as a saddle type joint but functionally it acts as a ball-and-socket joint able to move through up to 60 degrees when the arm is fully elevated.
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