Body of sternum

Looks like

The long middle blade of the breastbone, notched along each edge where ribs 2 to 7 attach.

What it does

Takes most of the ribs' cartilages and forms the shield over the heart.

Keeping it well

It is split lengthways for open-heart surgery and wired back; it takes about six to eight weeks to knit, so heavy lifting and pushing up from a chair with the arms are avoided until then. A clicking, oozing or reddened wound after such surgery needs the surgical team.

Related conditions

• Acromegaly
• Costochondritis
• Fractures
• Fragility fracture
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
• Osteomalacia & rickets
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Osteoporosis
• Paget's disease of bone
• Pleural effusion
• Pneumothorax
• Sarcoma
• Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
• Vitamin D deficiency