Body of sternum

Bones · Latin: Corpus sterni

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The body, or gladiolus, is the longest sternal part.

It is flat and considered to have only a front and back surface.

It is flat on the front, directed upward and forward, and marked by three transverse ridges which cross the bone opposite the third, fourth, and fifth articular depressions.

The pectoralis major attaches to it on either side.

At the junction of the third and fourth parts of the body is occasionally seen an orifice, the sternal foramen, of varying size and form.

The posterior surface, slightly concave, is also marked by three transverse lines, less distinct, however, than those in front; from its lower part, on either side, the transversus thoracis takes origin.

The sternal angle is located at the point where the body joins the manubrium.

The sternal angle can be felt at the point where the sternum projects farthest forward.

However, in some people the sternal angle is concave or rounded.

During physical examinations, the sternal angle is a useful landmark because the second rib attaches here.

Each outer border, at its superior angle, has a small facet, which with a similar facet on the manubrium, forms a cavity for the cartilage of the second rib; below this are four angular depressions which receive the cartilages of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth ribs.

The inferior angle has a small facet, which, with a corresponding one on the xiphoid process, forms a notch for the cartilage of the seventh rib.

These articular depressions are separated by a series of curved interarticular intervals, which diminish in length from above downward, and correspond to the intercostal spaces.

Most of the cartilages belonging to the true ribs, articulate with the sternum at the lines of junction of its primitive component segments.

This is well seen in some other vertebrates, where the parts of the bone remain separated for longer.

The upper border is oval and articulates with the manubrium, at the sternal angle.

The lower border is narrow, and articulates with the xiphoid process.