Sternum

(Redirected from Breastbone)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Infobox Bone

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

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

References


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

See also

Template:Spine Template:Gray's

ca:Estèrnum da:Sternum de:Sternum eo:Sternumo it:Sterno he:עצם החזה la:Sternum lt:Krūtinkaulis nl:Borstbeen


nn:Brystbein sk:Hrudná kosť sl:Prsnica sr:Стернум fi:Rintalasta sv:Bröstben th:กระดูกอก uk:Грудина


Template:WikiDoc Sources