Sternum facts for kids
| Bone: Sternum | ||
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| Parts of the sternum - Manubrium (green), body (blue), xiphoid process (purple) | ||
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| Position of the sternum (red). | ||
| Latin | Sternum | |
The sternum or breastbone, in vertebrate anatomy, is a flat bone. In amphibians and reptiles it is normally shaped like a shield, often made of cartilage. It is absent in both turtles and snakes. In birds it is larger, and has large flight muscles attached to it. Only in mammals does the sternum take on the longer form seen in humans.
Images for kids
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Shape of manubrium
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Figure 4 Ossification
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Figure 6 Peculiarities
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Manubrium sternal dislocation
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Position of sternum (shown in red). Animation.
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Sternum seen posteriorly.
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Sternum cut along the frontal plane showing interior of the bone.
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Sternum, lateral aspect.
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Position of the sternum the thoracic cage.
See also
In Spanish: Esternón para niños
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Sternum Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.