Table of Contents
Summary
The sternum forms the front of the rib cage and anchors the ribs and clavicles at the body’s midline. It consists of three fused segments:
- Manubrium – the upper portion bearing the jugular notch and articulating with the clavicles.
- Body (Gladiolus) – the elongated middle portion where ribs 2–7 attach via costal cartilage.
- Xiphoid Process – the small inferior tip.
Together these parts create a flat surface that marks the center of the thorax and serves as a reference plane for the chest muscles.
Illustrations
- Manubrium (green)
- Body (blue)
- Xiphoid process (purple)
Muscles
Origins
- 💪 Pectoralis Major (sternocostal head): Anterior surface of the sternum
- 💪 Sternocleidomastoid: Manubrium of the sternum (sternal head)
Other deep muscles also originate from the sternum, but they are typically not relevant in artistic anatomy.
Insertions
None of these muscles insert on the sternum; it serves as an origin point only.