Sternal foramen (or perforated sternum) is an oval foramen present at lower one-third of the sternum. It is a relatively common anatomical variation found in 2.5% to 13.8% of individuals. [1]
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. [2] Sometimes, the foramen can be present at the xiphod process. In extremely rare cases, the foramen is found at the manubrium. [3]
Developmentally, sternal foramen results from the incomplete fusion of the sternal bars while they are still cartilaginous. [4]
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 in acupuncture to avoid cardiac tamponade. [5]
-
Sternal foramen on axial and sagittal CT. The "bow tie" appearance is seen on the axial view. -
Sternal foramen and xiphoid foramen -
Sternal foramen observed in dry skeleton -
A 3D file showing a sternum with sternal foramen and xiphoid foramen
- ^ Choi, Paul J; Iwanaga, Joe; Tubbs, R. Shane (2017). "A Comprehensive Review of the Sternal Foramina and its Clinical Significance". Cureus. 9 (12): e1929. doi: 10.7759/cureus.1929. ISSN 2168-8184. PMC 5805319. PMID 29456905.
- ^ Tandon, Aseem; Gara, Rama Devi (2016-01-01). "Sternal foramen". Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil University. 9 (1): 127. doi: 10.4103/0975-2870.167974. ISSN 0975-2870.
- ^ Bayaroğulları, Hanifi; Yengil, Erhan; Davran, Ramazan; Ağlagül, Ela; Karazincir, Sinem; Balcı, Ali (2014). "Evaluation of the postnatal development of the sternum and sternal variations using multidetector CT". Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Ankara, Turkey). 20 (1): 82–89. doi: 10.5152/dir.2013.13121. ISSN 1305-3612. PMC 4463249. PMID 24100061.
- ^ Ashley, G. T. (1956). "The relationship between the pattern of ossification and the definitive shape of the mesosternum in man". Journal of Anatomy. 90 (Pt 1): 87–105. ISSN 0021-8782. PMC 1244824. PMID 13295154.
- ^ Chung, Ainee; Bui, Luke; Mills, Edward (2003-08-01). "Adverse effects of acupuncture. Which are clinically significant?". Canadian Family Physician. 49 (8): 985–989. ISSN 0008-350X. PMC 2214278. PMID 12943357.
Sternal foramen (or perforated sternum) is an oval foramen present at lower one-third of the sternum. It is a relatively common anatomical variation found in 2.5% to 13.8% of individuals. [1]
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. [2] Sometimes, the foramen can be present at the xiphod process. In extremely rare cases, the foramen is found at the manubrium. [3]
Developmentally, sternal foramen results from the incomplete fusion of the sternal bars while they are still cartilaginous. [4]
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 in acupuncture to avoid cardiac tamponade. [5]
-
Sternal foramen on axial and sagittal CT. The "bow tie" appearance is seen on the axial view.
-
Sternal foramen and xiphoid foramen
-
Sternal foramen observed in dry skeleton
-
A 3D file showing a sternum with sternal foramen and xiphoid foramen
- ^ Choi, Paul J; Iwanaga, Joe; Tubbs, R. Shane (2017). "A Comprehensive Review of the Sternal Foramina and its Clinical Significance". Cureus. 9 (12): e1929. doi: 10.7759/cureus.1929. ISSN 2168-8184. PMC 5805319. PMID 29456905.
- ^ Tandon, Aseem; Gara, Rama Devi (2016-01-01). "Sternal foramen". Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil University. 9 (1): 127. doi: 10.4103/0975-2870.167974. ISSN 0975-2870.
- ^ Bayaroğulları, Hanifi; Yengil, Erhan; Davran, Ramazan; Ağlagül, Ela; Karazincir, Sinem; Balcı, Ali (2014). "Evaluation of the postnatal development of the sternum and sternal variations using multidetector CT". Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Ankara, Turkey). 20 (1): 82–89. doi: 10.5152/dir.2013.13121. ISSN 1305-3612. PMC 4463249. PMID 24100061.
- ^ Ashley, G. T. (1956). "The relationship between the pattern of ossification and the definitive shape of the mesosternum in man". Journal of Anatomy. 90 (Pt 1): 87–105. ISSN 0021-8782. PMC 1244824. PMID 13295154.
- ^ Chung, Ainee; Bui, Luke; Mills, Edward (2003-08-01). "Adverse effects of acupuncture. Which are clinically significant?". Canadian Family Physician. 49 (8): 985–989. ISSN 0008-350X. PMC 2214278. PMID 12943357.