costovertebral angle costovertebral angle the costovertebral angle (latin: arcus costovertebralis) is the acute angle formed on either side of the human back between the twelfth rib and the vertebral column. costovertebral angleview of the human skeleton from the back; the costovertebral angle is marked.detailsidentifierslatinarcus costovertebralisanatomical terminology transverse section, showing the relations of the capsule of the kidney. the kidney lies directly below this area, so is the place where, with percussion (latin: sucussio renalis), pain is elicited when the person has kidney inflammation. the presence of pain is marked as a positive murphy's punch sign or as costovertebral angle tenderness.