An elongated dorsally curved xiphoid process / 대한해부학회지

The xiphoid process of the sternum lies in the epigastric region and functions to serve as an attachment point for vital muscles that aid in respiration. With the xiphoid process extending as the most inferior portion of the sternum, variable morphology is widely observed. During a routine dissection of a 44-year-old Caucasian male cadaver, we discovered a hook-shaped, elongated xiphoid process that protruded dorsally. Potential clinical significance can arise leading to misdiagnosis of the hook-shaped xiphoid process as an epigastric mass during imaging. Though various variations of xiphoid process have been well documented, knowledge of a hook-shaped xiphoid process orientated dorsally remains scarce. Herein, this case study provides clinicians, surgeons, and radiologists a rare anomaly of the xiphoid process in order to further the knowledge of morphological variations of the xiphoid to prevent misdiagnosis and surgical complications.

A Rare Case with Absent Second Rib, Bifid Costal Cartilages and Bifid Xiphoid Process.

Thoracic cage is made up of twelve thoracic vertebrae, twelve pairs of ribs and costal cartilages (CC) and a sternum. Ribs articulate anteriorly with sternum through CC which are flattened bars of hyaline cartilage considered as unossified anterior part of embryonic cartilaginous ribs. Numerical and structural variations of ribs are well documented. In the present study, we observed both structural and numerical variations of thoracic cage, bilaterally. On both the sides, eleven pair of ribs were present, instead of seven, six true ribs were found and second rib with CC was absent. Second and third CC and third CC of right and third CC of left side were bifid. Cartilaginous bridges were present between various CC on both sides. In the midline xiphoid process was found to be bifid. These variations are of immense help to the physicians, surgeons and radiologists.

Xiphoid Foramen and Its Clinical Implication.

Background: In this case report, we want to present a case of pear shaped foramina at the xiphoid process of sternum. The context and purpose: Variations and foramen in the xiphoid process of sternum are frequent. They are clinically important due to their proximity to heart, lungs, diaphragm, liver and stomach. Results: The pear shaped foramina was present in the xiphoid process. It resembled the glenoid fossa of scapula in shape. The maximum length of the foramina was 1.6cm and breadth 1.4cm. Conclusions, brief summary and potential implications: A sound knowledge of xiphoid process variations and anomalies is very important during sternal bone marrow aspiration, radiological reporting, acupuncture and assessing injuries during autopsy and post mortem examination.

Radiological Age estimation from Xiphi-sternal joint in living person.

Age determination is very important. The perfect way to store the age related data is still lacking in developing countries. For age determination, different parts of the skeleton are more useful at different age ranges. The different age ranges include fetal, children, teen age, young adult, and older adult. Age determination is required in both civil as well as criminal cases. So for these cases, forensic experts are entrusted duty to determine the age. Forensic experts rely on radiographs of various bones and joints to determine age. Most of the age determination data available in middle and old adult is from autopsies and not from living population radiographs. Due to lack of this living person radiograph database, Xiphisternal joint is studied to determine the age in middle and old people. Lateral view radiograph of this joint was done in people whose exact date of birth was known and who had a valid proof of date of birth.