HWN Suggests

For the Love of Sternums

You break the keel, you break the ship...

The same can be said of the human body: you break the sternum; at least until it heals, you break the skeleton. Daily, there is not a force that the human body encounters that does not go through the sternum in some way; most pulling one half of a cut sternum away from the other. Any movement that is unilateral (are you right handed or left?) will create both up-down and front-back shearing in addition to the distracting force between halves. Even a patients own weight - the mass of their shoulders, arms or breasts - can pull the sternum apart while lying on their back, at rest. And coughing or sneezing…well...think of the torpedo metaphor.…

read full article

Articles of Interest

Sternum

The sternum is the bone that lies in the anterior midline of our thorax. It forms part of the rib cage and the anterior-most part of the thorax. Its functions are to protect the thoracic organs from trauma and also form the bony attachment for various muscles. It is also the center around which the superior 10 ribs directly or indirectly attached. There are certain congenital pathological conditions related to the sternum. They mostly refer to the deviations of the shape of the sternum, which in some cases, especially if it is an extreme deviation, can affect the organs within thoracic cavity.

Anatomy, Thorax, Sternum

The sternum is a partially T-shaped vertical bone that forms the anterior portion of the chest wall centrally. The sternum is divided anatomically into three segments: manubrium, body, and xiphoid process. The sternum connects the ribs via the costal cartilages forming the anterior rib cage.

FAST1™ Intraosseous Infusion System

The FAST1™ Intraosseous Infusion System is designed to establish a sternal intraosseous access route to patients when standard venous access is not possible. Using the sternal IO access route, providers can rapidly deliver lifesaving fluids and medications to facilitate emergency resuscitation through the bone marrow space. FAST1™ can be effectively used during CPR and when a cervical spine collar is in place.

Is Human Sternum a Tool for Determination of Sex?

This study was done to assess the sex of the individual to help in identification as sternum is a sturdy bone and can be obtained from highly decomposed bodies1 . Being superficial, it can be got without much destruction. Also, it can be acquired from bodies safely, without major skilful procedures during a post-mortem. s: This study proves that the sternum is a reliable bone to determine the sex of a person.

Misinterpreting the results of a sternum rub

It may not be poor brain integrity that is causing a lack of response to a sternum rub, but an inadequate length of time the sternum rub is applied

Pectus Carinatum

Pectus carinatum or “keel chest,” like its sister condition pectus excavatum, is a congenital deformation of the anterior chest wall. The condition presents with an outward protrusion of the sternum or rib cage.

Pectus excavatum

Pectus excavatum is due to too much growth of the connective tissue that joins the ribs to the breastbone (sternum). This causes the sternum to grow inward. As a result, there is a depression in the chest over the sternum, which may appear quite deep.

Sternum Anatomy

The sternum is classified as a flat bone, and it makes up part of the axial skeleton. It articulates with the medial end of the clavicle bones, as well as the costal cartilages of the true ribs (ribs 1-7). The sternum’s long, flat shape provides protection for the important organs located within the thoracic cage, and it also provides attachment for various muscles such as the pectoralis major muscles and the diaphragm.

The Human Sternum: Three Lectures (1904)

The author explores the structure and function of the sternum, as well as its role in respiration and circulation. Additionally, the lectures discuss the various diseases and conditions that can affect the sternum, such as fractures, tumors, and infections. The book is intended for medical professionals, students, and anyone interested in learning more about the human sternum.

Up, from the Sternum

“You’re thinking of the stern, which is the south end of a ship,” replied the Opera House authority, a touch of Verdi in his tenor voice. “I’m referring to the sternum, sir. When the sternum harmonizes with the clavicle, the signal bounces off the manubrium, producing operatic tones that have fans shaking heads in wonder.”

What you need to know about the xiphoid process

The xiphoid process is a small, triangular part of the sternum that starts out as cartilage and hardens as a person ages. Its main function is to act as an area for muscular attachment.

Resources

David Darling

The sternum, also called the breastbone, is a narrow, flat bone that extends from the base of the neck to just below the diaphragm in the center of the chest; it is 15–20 centimeters long. The sternum consists of three sections: a triangular upper part called the manubrium; a long narrow middle part called the body or gladiolus; and a lower, more flexible cartilaginous part, shaped like a leaf, called the xiphoid process. The sternum together with the costal cartilages attached it is called the plastron.

Physiopedia

The sternum completes the anterior chest wall as the ventral breastplate. The sternum is a flat cancellous bone with a compact cortex, it is slightly convex anteriorly, with multiple indentations along its lateral borders (costal notches...

TeachMe Anatomy

The xiphoid process 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 vertebrae. The xiphoid process is largely cartilaginous in structure, and completely ossifies late in life – around the age of 40.