The breastbone, a flat bone in the middle of the chest that anchors the ribs and protects the heart and great vessels.
Structure
The sternum has three parts: the manubrium at the top, the body in the middle, and the xiphoid process at the bottom. It is about 17 centimeters long in adults.
Joints
The manubrium articulates with both clavicles at the sternoclavicular joints and with the first ribs. The body connects to ribs 2 through 7 through costal cartilages.
Function
Beyond shielding the heart and great vessels, the sternum is a common site for bone marrow aspiration because of its accessibility and rich marrow content. The xiphoid process serves as an attachment point for the diaphragm and abdominal muscles.
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Sternum starts with S and ends with M. Browse other body parts along the same letter.
Body Parts that contain a letter from "Sternum":