PURPOSE: Sternal foramina represent developmental defects in the sternum, which occur due to incomplete fusion of the sternal ossification centers. Sternal foramina have been correlated with several clinical implications and constitute a subject of interest for the forensic practice. The aim of this study is to define their incidence in Greek population. METHODS: The presence of midline foramen was studied in 60 dried, adult sterna derived from the Anatomy Department of Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Measurements were made with a 0.01-mm accuracy caliber and photographic documentation was obtained. Additionally, computed tomography scanning of the sterna was performed. RESULTS: Sternal foramina were found in 11 subjects, resulting in an incidence of 18.3% over the total population. In 27.3% of the subjects with sternal foramen, a single sternal foramen was observed in the body of the sternum, while in 45.5% of the sterna presenting sternal foramina, multiple xiphoidal foramina were noticed. In two specimens, association of xiphoidal foramina with sternal cleft was documented. CONCLUSION: Sternal foramina are variant quite common in the population, with distinct imaging pattern and awareness of their existence is important for the physician.
PURPOSE: Sternal foramina represent developmental defects in the sternum, which occur due to incomplete fusion of the sternal ossification centers. Sternal foramina have been correlated with several clinical implications and constitute a subject of interest for the forensic practice. The aim of this study is to define their incidence in Greek population. METHODS: The presence of midline foramen was studied in 60 dried, adult sterna derived from the Anatomy Department of Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Measurements were made with a 0.01-mm accuracy caliber and photographic documentation was obtained. Additionally, computed tomography scanning of the sterna was performed. RESULTS: Sternal foramina were found in 11 subjects, resulting in an incidence of 18.3% over the total population. In 27.3% of the subjects with sternal foramen, a single sternal foramen was observed in the body of the sternum, while in 45.5% of the sterna presenting sternal foramina, multiple xiphoidal foramina were noticed. In two specimens, association of xiphoidal foramina with sternal cleft was documented. CONCLUSION: Sternal foramina are variant quite common in the population, with distinct imaging pattern and awareness of their existence is important for the physician.
Authors: Benjamin D Gans; Angela D Neunuebel; Leah J Umbarger; Benjamin C Trumble; Daniel K Cummings; L Samuel Wann; Kyle R Lehenbauer; Ashna Mahadev; Daniel Eid Rodriguez; David E Michalik; Chris J Rowan; Caleb E Finch; M Linda Sutherland; James D Sutherland; Adel H Allam; Jonathan Stieglitz; Michael Gurven; Hillard Kaplan; Gregory S Thomas; Randall C Thompson Journal: Anat Sci Int Date: 2021-05-30 Impact factor: 1.741