Stern | Health Encyclopedia: Stern

Sternum

The scienti?c name for the breastbone. This is a long, ?at, bony plate that comprises the central part of the chest. Made up of three parts: an upper triangular piece (manubrium); a middle part (the body); and at the bottom end the small, ?exible xiphoid process. The two clavicles articulate to the manubrium. Seven pairs of costal cartilages link the sternum to the ribs. The sternum is very strong and a powerful blow is needed to fracture it: such an injury may damage the underlying heart and lungs.... sternum

Reed–sternberg Cell

a large binucleate cell that is characteristic of *Hodgkin’s disease. [D. Reed Mendenhall (1874–1964), US pathologist; C. Sternberg (1872–1935), Austrian pathologist]... reed–sternberg cell

Sternberg–reed Cell

see Reed–Sternberg cell.... sternberg–reed cell

Sternebra

n. (pl. sternebrae) one of the four parts that fuse during development to form the body of the sternum.... sternebra

Sternocleidomastoid Muscle

see sternomastoid muscle.... sternocleidomastoid muscle

Sternohyoid

n. a muscle in the neck, arising from the sternum and inserted into the hyoid bone. It depresses the hyoid bone.... sternohyoid

Sternomastoid Muscle

(sternocleidomastoid muscle) a long muscle in the neck, extending from the mastoid process to the sternum and clavicle. It serves to rotate the neck and flex the head.... sternomastoid muscle

Sternomastoid Tumour

a small painless nonmalignant swelling in the lower half of the *sternomastoid muscle, appearing a few days after birth. It occurs when the neck of the fetus is in an abnormal position in the uterus, which interferes with the blood supply to the affected muscle, and it is most common after breech births. The tumour may cause a slight tilt of the head towards the tumour and turning of the face to the other side. This can be corrected by physiotherapy aimed at increasing all movements of the body, but without stretching the neck.... sternomastoid tumour