sternum

The sternum, also known as the breastbone, is a long, flat bone in the center of the chest. It is an important part of the rib cage because it helps protect the heart and lungs and gives the ribs a place to attach through cartilage.

The sternum is not just one simple piece. It is made of three main parts that join together as the body develops: the manubrium at the top, the body in the middle, and the xiphoid process at the bottom. Doctors often use it as a landmark when they examine the chest or do medical procedures in that area.

In medical settings, you might hear about problems involving the sternum, such as costochondritis, which is inflammation in the cartilage that connects the ribs to it, or fractures in the bone itself. These injuries are often caused by blunt force, such as during car accidents or falls. The sternum can also help doctors judge the position of the chest when checking for heart or lung problems.

So, even if you do not think about it every day, the sternum is a vital bone that quietly protects major organs and helps hold the chest together.