Abstract
Sternal foramen (SF) represents a congenital anatomic defect, occurring as a result of an impaired and incomplete ossification centre fusion.. This study was conducted in Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Jammu on 25 adult human dry sternum. Our aim is to observe the presence of sternal foramen, the location, number, shape and size of the foramen and variations in shapes of xiphoid processes. In our study 12% of sternum had sternal foramen and 6 bones had variations in xipoid part. The xiphoid process is the smallest part of the sternum and most variable in shape present in the epigastrium and is clinically important because it is related with heart, liver, lungs and with stomach. Awareness of sternal variations such as sternal foramen is important for Radiologists and Forensic experts for proper interpretation. Sound knowledge about this variant is important in bone marrow aspiration and acupuncture practice to avoid complications.
Keywords: Sternum, Sternal foramen, xiphoid process.
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Corresponding Author
Dr Rekha
Post MD Demonstrator Department of Anatomy Govt. Medical College Jammu. J&K (India)
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i3.61
