Where is the location of sternal angle?
It is at the level of the intervertebral disc between thoracic vertebrae 4 and 5. This is the superior extent of the heart as well as the inferior end of the trachea when a person is supine.
What is the space between your ribs?
The intercostal spaces (spaces between the ribs) are largely occupied by muscles (intercostal muscles), which, in association with other muscles of the thorax, move the ribs during breathing.
What is sternal angle?
The sternal angle is an important clinical landmark for identifying many other anatomical points: It marks the point at which the costal cartilages of the second rib articulate with the sternum. This is particularly useful when counting ribs to identify landmarks as rib one is often impalpable.
What happens at the sternal angle?
Anatomy. The sternal angle, which varies around 162 degrees in males, marks the approximate level of the 2nd pair of costal cartilages, which attach to the second ribs, and the level of the intervertebral disc between T4 and T5. In clinical applications, the sternal angle can be palpated at the T4 vertebral level.
What is the sternal angle?
What rib attaches to the sternal angle?
The second rib
The second rib attaches to the sternum at the sternal angle. Since the first rib is hidden behind the clavicle, the second rib is the highest rib that can be identified by palpation. Thus, the sternal angle and second rib are important landmarks for the identification and counting of the lower ribs.
What is at the sternal angle?
Why is there a big gap between my ribs?
The Causes of an Uneven Rib Cage. An uneven rib cage can be the result of trauma, a birth defect, or another condition. If your rib cage is only slightly uneven, you may be able to improve your condition with repeated stretching and exercise. More serious cases of rib cage unevenness may need to be fixed surgically.
What vertebral level is the sternal angle?
thoracic vertebrae 4 and 5
The sternal angle is the angle formed between the manubrium of the sternum and the body of the sternum (manubriosternal junction), and is an important anatomical landmark. It marks the level of the 2nd pair of costal cartilages which lies at the level of the intervertebral disc between thoracic vertebrae 4 and 5.