Where is the breastbone located

Lung disorders such as pneumonia , bronchitis , and inflamed pleura can cause sternal pain and difficulty breathing. The sternum can also be affected as a result of a scapula shoulder blade injury, a clavicle collarbone injury, or a hernia. The top of the sternum joins with the collarbone to allow for normal range of motion and muscle use. Injury to the collarbone may cause the sternum to swell, ache, pop, or click with significant movement.

The presence of a hernia or muscle strain to the chest and torso muscles can cause pain, bruising, and tenderness in the sternal area. Most bone fractures must follow a particular protocol for rehabilitation.

However, sternal fractures are an exception to this since they do not assist in direct, gross range of motion. The protocol for sternal fractures is to manage pain and allow rest to encourage healing. Sternal fractures often take up to three months to heal, with pain levels easing after this point as well. One of the main, very serious complications that can result from a sternal fracture is an infected incision. Sternal precautions include weight restrictions along with limitations on arm movements.

Some of the main ways to maintain sternal precautions include placing a pillow on your chest when coughing, not lifting heavy items, using your legs to stand up from a chair, stretching your shoulders, and not using your arms to get out of bed.

Since sternal fractures often arise after a traumatic incident such as a major car accident or blunt trauma to the body, there are often other injuries that are simultaneously rehabilitated. However, if you have no other injuries requiring hospitalization, you can successfully be rehabilitated from a sternal fracture from the comfort of your own home. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

Xiphoid foramen and its clinical implication. Int J Anat Res. Morphological approach of the sternal foramen: an anatomic study and a short review of the literature. Folia Morphol Warsz. Sternal fractures and their management. J Emerg Trauma Shock. Anderson BW, Burns B. Anatomy, thorax, xiphoid process. Updated December 9, The first five ribs are termed true ribs because they attach directly to the sternum through the costal cartilage.

The next five ribs are termed false ribs because they attach to the sternum indirectly through the costal cartilage.

Finally, the last two ribs are termed floating ribs because they do not attach to the sternum at all. Rib 1 is the shortest and most curved of the ribs. Descending from rib 1, the ribs increase in size up until rib 7 before decreasing in length again. Privacy Policy. Skip to main content. Skeletal System: Parts of the Skeleton. Search for:. The Thorax. Thoracic Cage: Sternum The sternum or breastbone is a long, flat, bony plate connected to the rib bones via cartilage that forms the anterior section of the rib cage.

Learning Objectives Describe the structure and function of the sternum. While sternum pain is not usually serious, there are some causes of sternum pain that require immediate medical attention.

A person should also speak to a doctor if the pain in their sternum gets worse or does not improve over time. Read the article in Spanish. Here, learn to recognize a heart attack and what to do next. We also describe treatment and recovery and provide tips for prevention. In this article we look at what causes uncomfortable gas in the chest, how to tell it apart from a heart attack, and how to relieve symptoms.

Symptoms of a heart attack can often vary between males and females. Being able to spot the early signs means that prompt treatment can be sought…. Learn all about pectus carinatum, also known as pigeon chest, where the breastbone pushes forward. We look at the symptoms and treatment options. Pain in the chest may cause people to worry. Although some causes are severe, such as heart attacks, many of the potential causes are less worrisome…. What causes pain in the sternum? Medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, M.

What is the sternum? Causes of sternum and substernal pain Symptoms of sternum pain When to see a doctor Sternum pain is pain or discomfort in the area of the chest that contains the sternum and the cartilage connecting it to the ribs. Causes of sternum and substernal pain. Share on Pinterest The sternum is located at the front of the chest and is connected to the ribs.

The clavicles meet the manubrium at the concave clavicular notches to form the sternoclavicular joint, the only point of skeletal attachment between the pectoral girdle of the shoulder and the axial skeleton of the thorax. Slight indentations on the lateral sides of the manubrium provide attachment points for the costal cartilages of the ribs.

At its inferior end, the manubrium meets the body of the sternum at the joint with the costal cartilage of the second ribs. Here it forms the sternal angle, a slight posterior bend in the sternum that can be felt through the skin and serves as an important anatomical landmark in the medical profession. Several important muscles attach via tendons to the manubrium, including the sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis major, sternohyoid, and sternothyroid muscles. The body of the sternum is the longest region of the sternum and is roughly rectangular in shape.

The costal cartilages of the second through tenth ribs connect to the body of the sternum to form the bulk of the rib cage.