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sternum| Large flat bone, 15–20 cm/5.9–7.8 in long in the adult, at the front of the chest, joined to the ribs. It gives protection to the heart and lungs. During open-heart surgery the sternum must be split to give access to the thorax. |
| The sternum can be felt beneath the skin throughout its whole length, from the root of the neck into the abdominal wall. It has three parts – the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process – which are united by cartilage. The joint between the manubrium and body, the sternal angle, can be felt opposite the second ribs. |
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