Sternum

	WikiDoc Resources for Sternum
Articles
Most recent articles on Sternum Most cited articles on Sternum Review articles on Sternum Articles on Sternum in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Sternum Images of Sternum Photos of Sternum Podcasts & MP3s on Sternum Videos on Sternum
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Sternum Bandolier on Sternum TRIP on Sternum
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Sternum at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Sternum Clinical Trials on Sternum at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Sternum NICE Guidance on Sternum NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Sternum CDC on Sternum
Books
Books on Sternum
News
Sternum in the news Be alerted to news on Sternum News trends on Sternum
Commentary
Blogs on Sternum
Definitions
Definitions of Sternum
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Sternum Discussion groups on Sternum Patient Handouts on Sternum Directions to Hospitals Treating Sternum Risk calculators and risk factors for Sternum
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Sternum Causes & Risk Factors for Sternum Diagnostic studies for Sternum Treatment of Sternum
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Sternum
International
Sternum en Espanol Sternum en Francais
Business
Sternum in the Marketplace Patents on Sternum
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Sternum

Template:Infobox Bone

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

The sternum (from Greek στέρνον, sternon, "chest" and hebrew pronounced "Shamokin" also meaning chest) or breastbone is a long, flat bone located in the center of the thorax (chest). It connects to the rib bones via cartilage, forming the rib cage with them, and thus helps to protect the lungs, heart and major blood vessels from physical trauma.

The sternum is sometimes cut open (a median sternotomy) to gain access to the thoracic contents when performing cardiothoracic surgery.

The sternum is an elongated, flattened bone, forming the middle portion of the anterior wall of the thorax. Its upper end supports the clavicles (Collar bones), and its margins articulate with the cartilages of the first seven pairs of ribs. Its top is also connected to the Sternocleidomastoid muscle. It consists of three parts, from above downward:

In early life, the body of sternum consists of four segments or sternebrœ.

In its natural position, the inclination of the bone is oblique from above, downward and forward. It is slightly convex in front and concave behind; broad above, becoming narrowed at the point where the manubrium joins the body, after which it again widens a little to below the middle of the body, and then narrows to its lower extremity. Its average length in the adult is about 17 cm, and is rather longer in the male than in the female.

Structure

The sternum is composed of highly vascular cancellous tissue, covered by a thin layer of compact bone which is thickest in the manubrium between the articular facets for the clavicles.

Articulations

The sternum articulates on either side with the clavicle and upper seven costal cartilages.

Fractures of the sternum

Fractures of the sternum are not common. However, they may result from trauma, such as when a driver's chest is forced into the steering column of a car in a car accident. A fracture of the sternum is usually a comminuted fracture, meaning it is broken into pieces. The most common site of sternal fractures is at the sternal angle.

Additional images

Anterior surface of sternum and costal cartilages.

References

Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 4th ed. Keith L. Moore and Arthur F. Dalley. pp. 66-68.