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Sternal foramen (or perforated sternum) is an oval foramen present at lower one-third of the sternum. It is a relatively common
File:Foramen sternale 85jm - CT axial und sagittal - 001.jpg, Sternal foramen on axial and sagittal CT. The "bow tie" appearance is seen on the axial view.
File:Foramina sternalia 39jw - CT VR cor sag - 001.png, Sternal foramen and xiphoid foramen
File:Foramensternal.png, Sternal foramen observed in dry skeleton
File:Sternal foramen 3D.stl, A 3D file showing a sternum with sternal foramen and xiphoid foramen
Sternal foramen (or perforated sternum) is an oval foramen present at lower one-third of the sternum. It is a relatively common anatomical variation
An anatomical variation, anatomical variant, or anatomical variability is a presentation of body structure with morphological features different from those that are typically described in the majority of individuals. Anatomical variations are categ ...
found in 2.5% to 13.8% of individuals.
Structure
This variation is usually present at the lower one-third of the sternal body. It has an oval shape and a unique "bow tie" appearance when seen on axial computed tomography. The diameter of the sternal foramen ranges from 6 to 16 mm with an average diameter of 6.5 mm. Sometimes, the foramen can be present at the xiphod process. In extremely rare cases, the foramen is found at themanubrium
The sternum or breastbone is a long flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, thus helping to protect the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels from injury. Sh ...
.
Developmentally, sternal foramen results from the incomplete fusion of the sternal bars while they are still cartilaginous.
Clinical significance
Although sternal foramen is asymptomatic, it may entail a risk of serious complications from blinded sternal interventions. The foramen may be misdiagnosed as sternal fracture or a gunshot wound. Awareness of sternal foramen is also crucial inacupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in which thin needles are inserted into the body. Acupuncture is a pseudoscience; the theories and practices of TCM are not based on scient ...
to avoid cardiac tamponade
Tamponade () is the closure or blockage (as of a wound or body cavity) by or as if by a tampon, especially to stop bleeding.
Tamponade is a useful method of stopping a hemorrhage. This can be achieved by applying an absorbent dressing directl ...
.
Additional images
See also
*Sternum
The sternum or breastbone is a long flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, thus helping to protect the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels from injury. ...
* List of anatomical variation
References
{{Reflist Anatomical variations Human anatomy Congenital disorders of musculoskeletal system Bones of the thorax