Sternum facts for kids

Bone: Sternum
Parts of the sternum - Manubrium (green), body (blue), xiphoid process (purple)
Position of the sternum (red).
Latin	Sternum

The sternum, also known as your breastbone, is a flat bone located in the middle of your chest. It helps protect important organs like your heart and lungs. Think of it as a shield for your chest!

What is the Sternum?

Your sternum is a flat bone that sits right in the center of your chest. It connects to your ribs with cartilage, which is a flexible tissue. This connection helps form your rib cage, which protects your vital organs.

Parts of Your Breastbone

The sternum is actually made of three main parts:

• The manubrium (say: mah-NOO-bree-um) is the top part. It's shaped a bit like a knot in a tie.
• The body is the long, flat middle part. This is the largest section.
• The xiphoid process (say: ZY-foyd PROH-sess) is the small, pointed part at the very bottom. It's mostly cartilage when you're young and slowly turns into bone as you get older.

How it Protects You

The sternum is a key part of your skeletal system. It acts like a strong shield, protecting your heart, lungs, and major blood vessels from injury. Because it's connected to your ribs, it also helps your chest expand and contract when you breathe.

The Sternum in Different Animals

Not all animals have a sternum that looks like yours! The sternum is found in vertebrates, which are animals with backbones.

Amphibians and Reptiles

In animals like frogs and lizards, the sternum is often shaped like a small shield. It's usually made of cartilage, which is softer and more flexible than bone.

Birds

Birds have a very large sternum. It has a special ridge called a keel. This keel is where their powerful flight muscles attach. It helps them flap their wings and fly!

Mammals

Only mammals, like humans, dogs, and cats, have a sternum that is long and made of several parts, similar to the human breastbone. However, some animals, like turtles and snakes, don't have a sternum at all!

Images for kids

• 

  Shape of manubrium

• 

  Figure 4 Ossification

• 

  Figure 6 Peculiarities

• 

  Manubrium sternal dislocation

• 

  Position of sternum (shown in red). Animation.

• 

  Sternum seen posteriorly.

• 

  Sternum cut along the frontal plane showing interior of the bone.

• 

  Sternum, lateral aspect.

• 

  Position of the sternum the thoracic cage.

See also

In Spanish: Esternón para niños