Sternum

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The sternum (from Greek ,sternon, "chest" or breastbone) is a long flat bone (or, in some models, set of three bones) shaped like a capital 'T' located in the center of the thorax (chest). It connects to the rib bones via cartilage, forming the anterior section of the rib cage with them, and thus helps to protect the lungs, heart and major blood vessels from physical trauma. The sternum is sometimes cut open (a median sternotomy) to gain access to the thoracic contents when performing cardiothoracic surgery.

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The sternum (from Greek st ,sternon, "chest" or breastbone) is a long flat bone (or, in some models, set of three bones) shaped like a capital 'T' located in the center of the thorax (chest). It connects to the rib bones via cartilage, forming the anterior section of the rib cage with them, and thus helps to protect the lungs, heart and major blood vessels from physical trauma. The sternum is sometimes cut open (a median sternotomy) to gain access to the thoracic contents when performing cardiothoracic surgery.