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Sternum — Anatomy Notes, Diagram & Quiz
The Sternum is located in the anterior thorax. Flat breastbone, protects heart and lungs, rib attachment. The sternum is a flat bone located in the midline of the anterior thorax, known as the breastbone.
Key facts
| Location | Anterior thorax |
|---|---|
| Main function | Flat breastbone, protects heart and lungs, rib attachment. |
| Layer | skeleton |
| Key fact 1 | The sternum is a flat bone located in the midline of the anterior thorax, known as the breastbone. |
| Key fact 2 | The sternum articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs via costal cartilages. |
| Key fact 3 | The sternum consists of three parts: the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process. |
Where is the Sternum located?
The Sternum is located in the anterior thorax.
The sternum is a flat bone located in the midline of the anterior thorax, known as the breastbone.
What does the Sternum do?
Flat breastbone, protects heart and lungs, rib attachment.
The sternum articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs via costal cartilages.
What to know for exams
- The sternum is a flat bone located in the midline of the anterior thorax, known as the breastbone.
- The sternum articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs via costal cartilages.
- The sternum consists of three parts: the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.
It belongs to the skeleton layer. Learn its location, relations, and the structures it works with.
Clinical relevance
The sternum consists of three parts: the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.
Link the sternum to its blood supply, innervation and relations. That is how exam questions usually test it.
Memory aid: Sternum
The sternum is a flat bone located in the midline of the anterior thorax, known as the breastbone. The sternum articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs via costal cartilages. The sternum consists of three parts: the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.
Chain it as location → function → clinical link when you revise.
Sternum anatomy quiz
Five questions. Open each answer after you commit to a response.
-
Where is the Sternum located?
Reveal answer
Anterior thorax
-
What is the main function of the Sternum?
Reveal answer
Flat breastbone, protects heart and lungs, rib attachment.
-
Give one key fact about the Sternum.
Reveal answer
The sternum is a flat bone located in the midline of the anterior thorax, known as the breastbone.
-
Give another key fact about the Sternum.
Reveal answer
The sternum articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs via costal cartilages.
-
What clinical link is associated with the Sternum?
Reveal answer
The sternum consists of three parts: the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.
Common questions
Where is the Sternum located?
The Sternum is located in the anterior thorax. The sternum is a flat bone located in the midline of the anterior thorax, known as the breastbone.
What does the Sternum do?
Flat breastbone, protects heart and lungs, rib attachment. The sternum articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs via costal cartilages.
What is a key fact about the Sternum?
The sternum consists of three parts: the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.
What layer does the Sternum belong to?
It belongs to the skeleton layer of the body.
What should I remember for exams?
The sternum is a flat bone located in the midline of the anterior thorax, known as the breastbone. The sternum articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs via costal cartilages. The sternum consists of three parts: the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.
Sources
- Standring, S. (ed.). Gray’s Anatomy, 42nd edition. Elsevier, 2020.
- TeachMeAnatomy — anatomy library
- Kenhub — anatomy library
- StatPearls / NCBI Bookshelf — Sternum search
3D atlas and image credits
Anatomy models: BodyParts3D, © Database Center for Life Science (DBCLS), CC BY-SA 2.1 Japan. Écorché by Charleeh, derived from BodyParts3D and Z-Anatomy, CC BY-SA 4.0. Rendered in anotemy. Changes: highlighting, framing, labels and background removal. Images: CC BY-SA 4.0.
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