What is the sternum also known as?
Sternum, also called breastbone, in the anatomy of tetrapods (four-limbed vertebrates), elongated bone in the centre of the chest that articulates with and provides support for the clavicles (collarbones) of the shoulder girdle and for the ribs.
What is the head of the sternum called?
The manubrium is the most superior portion of the sternum. It is trapezoid in shape. The superior aspect of the manubrium is concave, producing a depression known as the jugular notch – this is visible underneath the skin.
Is breastbone same as sternum?
Your sternum is a bone that’s located in the middle of your chest. It’s also sometimes referred to as the breastbone. Your sternum protects the organs of your torso from injury and also serves as a connection point for other bones and muscles.
What is the area below the sternum called?
xiphoid process
Does the sternum move?
A study in the journal Heart, Lung and Circulation noted that in the first few months after cardiac surgery, the sternum may move slightly during activities that involve the upper body. While this movement is slight, it may cause popping sounds in the sternum as the structures shift.
Why does my sternum crack when I stretch?
Calcification of the cartilage associated with the sternum is an accumulation of calcium deposits in that area. The calcified calcium can result in small shards that wear away at the joints, breaking down cartilage. This wearing down of the cartilage can cause the popping sound you may be hearing.
Can you feel the bottom of your sternum?
Xiphoid process pain occurs for varying reasons. Pain — which can be mild, moderate, or severe — is typically felt in the lower part of the sternum. The sternum is the bone that makes up the middle front of your ribcage.
Why does the bottom of my sternum stick out?
Pectus carinatum (PC, or pigeon chest) is a chest wall deformity where there is overgrowth of the cartilage between the ribs and the sternum (breastbone), causing the middle of the chest to stick out. PC is most common in adolescent males, and 90 per cent of cases are diagnosed after children are 11 years old.
Why does the bottom of my sternum hurt?
Costochondritis is the most common cause The most common cause of sternum pain is a condition called costochondritis. This occurs when the cartilage that connects your ribs to your sternum becomes inflamed. Symptoms of costochondritis include: sharp pains or aches on the side of your sternum area.
Is costochondritis a serious condition?
Costochondritis doesn’t always have a specific cause, but it’s most often a result of a chest injury, strain from physical activity, or joint conditions like osteoarthritis. Costochondritis isn’t a serious condition and shouldn’t cause you to be concerned.
What foods should I avoid with costochondritis?
Diet for costochondritis Stay away from gluten, processed foods, and refined sugars. They are known causes of inflammation.
What should you not do with costochondritis?
Rest: You may need to rest and avoid painful movements and activities. Do not carry objects, such as a purse or backpack, if this causes pain. Avoid activities such as weightlifting until your pain decreases or goes away. Ask your healthcare provider which activities are best for you to do while you recover.
Can emotional stress cause costochondritis?
The inflammation may have been brought on by a blow to the chest, lifting heavy objects, intense exercise, or an illness that made you cough and sneeze a lot. It often occurs during times of emotional stress. It can be painful, but it’s not dangerous.
Will my costochondritis ever go away?
Costochondritis usually goes away on its own, although it might last for several weeks or longer. Treatment focuses on pain relief.
Does costochondritis hurt more lying down?
The pain from costochondritis may be most noticeable when an individual is lying in bed at night. It is important to find a suitable lying position in order to reduce the degree of discomfort. It may be useful to use local heat as much as possible providing this does not aggravate the condition.
What exercise is good for costochondritis?
Try Gentle Stretching The stretches involve holding a raised, bent arm with the forearm parallel to the wall and gently twisting the body in the opposite direction to open the chest and relieve tension on chest muscles. The exercises are repeated on both sides, several times a day to decrease pain.
Does walking make costochondritis worse?
So, in costochondritis, there is inflammation in either the costochondral, costosternal or sternoclavicular joints (or a combination). This causes pain, which tends to be worse when you move, or when you press down on the affected part.
Can poor posture cause costochondritis?
Some doctors refer to costochondritis as Tietze’s syndrome. Most of the time, those who have costochondritis don’t have an attributed cause to their condition, although research tells us that poor posture is often to blame. The chest consists of the portion of the trunk located between the abdomen and the neck.
Why have I had costochondritis for years?
This condition is almost always caused by injury to the costochondral joint, such as from trauma or surgery. Sometimes that trauma can be due to something that seems minor, such as severe coughing. Inflammation is often associated with infection, and sometimes costochondritis can be caused by an infection.