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The Thoracic Cage: Sternum

The Thoracic Cage: Sternum

The thoracic or rib cage forms the body's thorax (chest) portion. Its primary function in the body is to protect vital organs in the thoracic cavity, such as the heart and the lungs. It consists of 12 pairs of ribs with their costal cartilages and the sternum. The ribs are anchored posteriorly to the 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12).
The sternum is the elongated bony structure on the anterior side of the thoracic cage. It consists of three parts: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Surgical Fixation of Sternal Fractures: Preoperative Planning and a Safe Surgical Technique Using Locked Titanium Plates and Depth Limited Drilling

Surgical Fixation of Sternal Fractures: Preoperative Planning and a Safe Surgical Technique Using Locked Titanium Plates and Depth Limited Drilling

Published on: January 5, 2015

Sternoclavicular joint surgery: how far does danger lurk below?

Brent A Ponce¹, Joseph A Kundukulam, Ryan Pflugner

¹Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. brent.ponce@ortho.uab.edu

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

|January 22, 2013

Summary

Understanding the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) anatomy is crucial for patient safety during surgery. The brachiocephalic vein is the most common structure at risk near the SCJ.

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Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Published on: September 13, 2020

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Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Surgical Fixation of Sternal Fractures: Preoperative Planning and a Safe Surgical Technique Using Locked Titanium Plates and Depth Limited Drilling

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Published on: January 5, 2015

Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Published on: September 13, 2020

Area of Science:

Anatomy
Surgical Procedures
Medical Imaging

Background:

Surgical stabilization of the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is uncommon.
Cardiothoracic surgery assistance is often recommended for SCJ procedures.
Enhanced understanding of SCJ's anatomical relationships can improve patient safety and surgeon efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the distances from the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) to critical structures within the superior mediastinum.

Main Methods:

Contrast computed tomography (CT) scans of 49 patients were analyzed.
Distances from the posterior SCJ to adjacent mediastinal structures were recorded.
Patient demographics and bone thickness were also documented.

Main Results:

The mean distance to the nearest structure deep to the SCJ was 6.6 mm (clavicular region) and 12.5 mm (sternal region).
The brachiocephalic vein was the closest structure in most cases.
Arteries were the closest structure in 21.2% of patients; sex did not influence distances.

Conclusions:

Several mediastinal structures are in close proximity to the SCJ.
The brachiocephalic vein is the structure most frequently at risk of injury.
This anatomical knowledge can enhance patient safety during SCJ surgical interventions.