The sternum, also known as the breastbone, is a flat, cancellous bone with a compact cortex
. It is slightly convex anteriorly and has multiple indentations along its lateral borders, known as costal notches
. The sternum is divided anatomically into three segments: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process
. The manubrium is the broad superior segment, the body is the middle portion, and the xiphoid process is a narrower distal segment, forming the partial T-shape
. The sternum connects the ribs via costal cartilages, forming the anterior rib cage
