What organ is just below the sternum?
What organ is just below the sternum? The thymus is a small organ located just behind the breast bone (sternum) in the front part of the chest. What does severe costochondritis feel like? Most people describe the pain as sharp, achy, and pressure-like. It usually gets worse if you breathe deeply or move your upper body.
What is the upper portion of the sternum?
manubrium. the bony structure that forms the upper portion of the sternum. Where is costal cartilage? The costal cartilages are bars of hyaline cartilage that serve to prolong the ribs forward and contribute to the elasticity of the walls of the thorax.
What bone is at the end of the sternum?
The xiphoid process is a tiny bone structure located at the center of the chest, just below the lower part of the sternum. At birth, the xiphoid process is formed from cartilage that eventually develops into bone. During a person’s early life, the xiphoid process rarely causes any discomfort given its soft cartilage structure.
What is inferior to the sternum?
The smallest and most inferior region of the sternum, the xiphoid process, begins life as a region of flexible hyaline cartilage attached to the end of the body of the sternum. The xiphoid process slowly ossifies throughout childhood and adulthood until around age 40 when all of its cartilage is replaced by bone.
What is the condition where the cartilage connects the ribs to the sternum?
Costochondritis is when the cartilage that connects your ribs to your sternum becomes inflamed. This can be caused by an injury or from a muscle strain, arthritis, or infection. If you have costochondritis, the main symptom is chest pain or tenderness.
Why does my sternum hurt?
The most common causes of sternum pain are musculoskeletal issues. However, there are other possible causes that aren’t related to injuries of the muscles or bones. Other causes can include: lung conditions like pleurisy, pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism. heart conditions such as angina, pericarditis, or heart attack.
Why does my collarbone hurt?
Since your collarbone is connected to your sternum, injury to this bone may also lead to pain or discomfort around your sternum. Collarbone injuries often occur due to things like falls, accidents, or sports injuries.
What are the parts of the sternum?
The sternum has three parts: Manubrium. This is the top part of your sternum. Your collarbone and your first set of ribs connect here. The bottom of the manubrium shares a border with the body of the sternum. Your second set of ribs connects at this point. Body.
What is the function of the sternum?
Your sternum, along with your ribs, works to protect the organs of your torso, such as your heart, lungs, and chest blood vessels. Support. Your sternum also provides a connection point for other parts of your skeletal system, including your collarbone and most of your ribs.
What is chest pain associated with?
Remember that chest pain is also associated with health emergencies like a heart attack and pulmonary embolism. Because of this, seek emergency medical attention for chest pain that: is new or unexplained.
What happens when you strain a muscle in your chest?
This can often happen due to the overuse of a muscle from working out, playing sports, or even excessive coughing. If you’ve strained a muscle in your chest, you may notice: chest pain or tenderness. bruising.
What is the Sternum
Sternum, commonly called breastbone, is a long, flat bone located in the midline of the chest. The word ‘sternum’ has been derived from the ancient Greek word ‘ sternon ’, meaning ‘chest’. The bone covers and protects the thoracic organs, such as heart, and lungs from any external shock.
Where is the Sternum Bone Located
The bone is located in the center of the chest, making up the anterior thoracic wall. As it lies very superficially, it is easily palpable below the skin of the chest in the midline.
Functions
Protects the delicate organs of the thorax region, such as heart, lungs, esophagus, and several other important blood vessels, from mechanical damage.
Sternum Anatomy: Parts and Bony Landmarks
As stated, the sternum is a long, flat bone, divided into three parts:
Manubrium
- It is large and quadrangular or trapezoidin shape, bearing several important bony landmarks. Structure and Bony Landmarks The top part or superior border of the manubrium is concave, producing a depression called the jugular notch or suprasternal notch. On either side of the jugular notch, two other large fossae, known as clavicular notches, are present, projected upwar…
Body
- The body of the sternum, also known as gladiolus, is the largest part of the sternum. It is flat and elongated, articulating with the manubrium superiorly and the xiphoid process inferiorly, forming the manubriosternal joint and xiphisternal joint, respectively. Structure and Bony Landmarks The anterior surface of the body is convex, whereas its posterior surface is concave. Its lateral borde…
Xiphoid Process
- It is the most inferior and smallest part of the sternum. It is usually pointed and largely cartilaginous in structure. Structure and Bony Landmarks It possesses demifacets at its superolateral angle, where a part of the 7thcostal cartilage attaches. Muscle Attachments The internal andexternal oblique muscles and fibers of the rectus abdominis get ...
Articulations
- 1. Sternoclavicular Joint:A synovial joint formed between the sternum and the clavicle. 2. Sternocostal Joints: These joints are formed between sternum and the medial ends of the costal cartilages of the 1st – 7th ribs. The joint between the 1strib and the sternum is cartilaginous, but the remaining ones are synovial.
Ossification
- The sternum develops from a pair of sternal bands, called sternal bars, during the sixth developmental week of fetal life. These bars are concentrated mesenchymal cells found on either side of the midline. They arise from the parietal layer of the lateral plate mesoderm. Afterward, they convert into pre-cartilaginous structures that migrate and fuse in a craniocaudal direction, f…
Differences Between Male and Female Sternum
- Based on several studies, it can be said that the body of the male sternum is relatively longer and narrower than that of the female. In males, it is more than twice the length of the manubrium, whereas, in females, it is usually much shorter.