Logan Steele
The sternum, or breastbone, is a flat, long bone located in the central part of the chest. It is not a muscle. The primary function of the sternum is to protect the underlying muscles, organs, and important arteries within the front and center of the chest. The sternum is divided into three segments: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process. The manubrium is the upper part of the sternum, while the body is the longest and flattest part, and the xiphoid process is a small, thin projection of bone. The sternum is an important bony structure with significant surgical implications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | Sternum, or breastbone, is a long, flat bone located in the central part of the chest. |
| Shape | Flat, elongated, segmented, and roughly shaped like a necktie. |
| Function | Protects the underlying muscles, organs, and important arteries within the front and center of the chest. |
| Parts | Manubrium, body, and xiphoid process. |
| Blood Supply | Internal thoracic veins drain into the brachiocephalic vein on each side. |
| Muscles Attached | Sternocleidomastoid, sternohyoid, sternothyroid, transversus thoracis, and pectoralis major. |
| Ligaments | Sternopericardial ligaments and sternocostal ligaments. |
| Joints | Sternoclavicular joints, sternocostal joints, and manubriosternal joint. |
| Fracture | Rare but can occur during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or as a result of a motor vehicle accident or high-impact trauma. |
| Rehabilitation | Sternal fractures have a good prognosis for return of function, with pain levels easing after about three months. |
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What You'll Learn
The sternum is a flat bone
The sternum is divided into three segments: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process. The manubrium is the upper part of the sternum and has a quadrangular shape, giving it four borders. The suprasternal notch (jugular notch) is located in the middle of the manubrium's upper part, and the left and right clavicular notches are on either side. The manubrium articulates with the body of the sternum, forming the sternal angle, which is a useful landmark as the second rib attaches here. The body is the longest and flattest part of the sternum. It is marked by articular facets, or cartilage-lined depressions, which articulate with the costal cartilages of ribs 3-7. The xiphoid process is the smallest part of the sternum and is variable in shape and size.
The sternum is covered by a thin layer of compact bone, which is thickest in the manubrium. It is composed of highly vascular tissue. The sternum connects the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, helping to protect the heart, lungs, and other organs from injury. The collarbone and the first set of ribs connect to the top of the sternum, and the second set of ribs connects at the bottom of the manubrium. The third through the seventh set of ribs are connected to the body of the sternum via cartilage.
The sternum's primary function is to protect the underlying organs and tissues from injury. It also serves as a connection point for other bones and muscles. The pectoralis major attaches to the sternum on either side. The sternum is susceptible to fractures, which can result from blunt force trauma, falls, or sports injuries. These fractures have a high mortality rate due to potential simultaneous injuries to the heart and lungs.
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Sternum parts: manubrium, body, xiphoid process
The sternum is a flat, T-shaped bone located in the centre and front of the chest. It is composed of three parts: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process.
The manubrium, or manubrium sterni, is the broad upper part of the sternum. Its name comes from the Latin word for 'handle'. The manubrium is quadrangular in shape, with four borders. The suprasternal notch (jugular notch) is located at the upper, broadest part of the manubrium and can be felt between the two clavicles. The left and right clavicular notches are present on either side of the suprasternal notch. The manubrium articulates with the body of the sternum, the clavicles, and the cartilages of the first 1.5 pairs of ribs. The sternal angle is formed by the junction between the manubrium and the body of the sternum.
The body of the sternum, or mesosternum, is the longest and flattest part of the sternum. It is rectangular and has facets on its lateral border for articulation with the ribs. The body articulates with the manubrium superiorly (manubriosternal joint) and the xiphoid process inferiorly (xiphisternal joint). The lateral edges of the body are marked by numerous articular facets (cartilage-lined depressions in the bone) that articulate with the costal cartilages of ribs 3-6. There are also smaller facets, or demifacets, for articulation with parts of the second and seventh ribs.
The xiphoid process, or xiphisternum/xiphoid, is the most inferior and smallest part of the sternum. It is variable in shape and size, with its tip located at the level of the T10 vertebra. The xiphoid process is primarily triangular, with its base directed superiorly and its tip pointing inferiorly. It is largely cartilaginous in structure and completely ossifies late in life, around the age of 40. The xiphoid process articulates with the distal end of the sternal body, forming the xiphisternal joint. The primary function of the xiphoid process is to serve as a point of muscular attachment, including for the diaphragm and abdominal muscles.
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Sternum pain and treatment
The sternum, or breastbone, is a long, flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It is divided into three segments: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process. The sternum is an important structure as it helps to protect the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels from injury.
Sternum pain, or costochondritis, is inflammation in the cartilage where the ribs join the sternum. It causes pain on the left side under the ribs and can be similar to the pain associated with heart disease, lung disease, gastrointestinal problems, and osteoarthritis. Costochondritis is the most common cause of sternal pain, and the pain can vary in intensity.
While costochondritis is usually not a sign of anything serious, it is important to seek medical attention to rule out other life-threatening causes of chest pain, such as a heart attack. A healthcare provider will likely examine your chest and ribs, and may order certain tests such as an electrocardiogram and chest x-ray to rule out other conditions.
Treatment for costochondritis focuses on easing the pain while waiting for the condition to improve, which can take several weeks or longer. Here are some common treatment options:
- Rest: Avoid or modify activities that may worsen the pain, and give your body time to recover after intense physical activity.
- Medication: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium can help relieve pain. Stronger versions are available by prescription. Numbing medication can also be injected directly into the painful joint.
- Nerve stimulation: A procedure called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses weak electrical currents to interrupt or mask pain signals.
- Topical pain relievers: Creams, gels, patches, or sprays may be applied to the painful area. Some varieties contain capsaicin or numbing medications.
- Heat or ice: Using hot compresses, heating pads, or ice packs several times a day may provide relief.
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Sternum fracture causes and treatment
The sternum, or breastbone, is a long, flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, helping to protect the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels from injury.
A sternum fracture is a break in the breastbone, which is usually caused by a blunt force or trauma to the chest. The most common causes of these fractures are motor vehicle collisions, athletic injuries, falls, and assaults. Sternum fractures are also common in contact sports such as football, rugby, and hockey. In rare cases, they can also be caused by conditions such as osteoporosis, which can weaken the bone and make it more susceptible to fractures.
The primary symptom of a sternum fracture is severe chest pain, which can be exacerbated by deep breathing and coughing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, swelling, and bruising. In some cases, patients may also experience a fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or a fever. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms are present, as a sternum fracture can lead to serious complications.
Treatment for a sternum fracture typically involves managing the pain and allowing the bone to heal on its own. It is important to rest and avoid activities that may put pressure on the chest or cause further injury. Patients should also be mindful of their breathing, taking deep breaths and coughing frequently to prevent pneumonia or a partial lung collapse. This can be done by holding a pillow against the chest to reduce discomfort. In some cases, surgery may be required to repair the fracture and stabilize the chest wall.
The recovery process for a sternum fracture can be lengthy, with pain lasting for three months or more. During this time, it is important to maintain a healthy diet, refrain from smoking, and attend all follow-up appointments with a healthcare provider.
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Sternum history and etymology
The sternum is a flat, partially T-shaped vertical bone that forms the anterior portion of the chest wall centrally. It is composed of highly vascular tissue, covered by a thin layer of compact bone. The word sternum originates from the Ancient Greek 'στέρνον' or 'stérnon', which means 'chest'. The Greek writer Homer used the term to refer to the male chest. The Ancient Greek 'stérnon' is perhaps related to 'stēthos', which means 'front of the chest'. The Greek 'stēthos' is also the root of the word 'stethoscope', an instrument for examining the chest.
The sternum is divided into three segments: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process. The manubrium is the broad upper part of the sternum, derived from the Latin for 'handle'. It has a quadrangular shape, narrowing from the top, which gives it four borders. The suprasternal notch (jugular notch) is located in the middle at the upper broadest part of the manubrium. The body of the sternum is the longest part of the sternum. It is flat with depressed ridges along the sides where the costal cartilages of the 3rd to 7th pairs of ribs articulate inferior to the sternal angle. The xiphoid process is triangular and forms the distal segment of the T-shape.
The sternal angle is the projection formed by the junction between the manubrium and the body of the sternum. The two parts lie in slightly different planes, causing the angulation. This angle is also known as the angle of Louis. The primary function of the sternum is to protect the underlying mediastinum and its contents, including the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, from injury.
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Frequently asked questions
The sternum, or breastbone, is a long, flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, thus helping to protect the heart, lungs, and other important organs and muscles from injury.
The sternum has three main parts: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process. The manubrium is the broad upper part of the sternum, while the body is the longest and flattest part, and the xiphoid process is a thin, bony projection.
The primary function of the sternum is to protect the underlying organs, muscles, and blood vessels within the chest. It also acts as a joining structure to the upper ribs and collarbone, allowing for a normal range of motion and muscle use.
Common issues related to the sternum include sternal pain, which can be caused by costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage between the sternum and ribs. Sternal fractures are another common issue, often resulting from motor vehicle accidents or high-impact trauma. These fractures can lead to a high mortality rate due to potential heart and lung injuries.
