Xiphoid process - wikipedia Xiphoid process Xiphoid process Position of the xiphoid process ( shown in red ). Posterior surface of sternum. ( Xiphoid process labeled at bottom. ) Details Identifiers Latin processus xiphoideus MeSH A02. 835.232. 904.766. 825 TA A02. 3.03. 007 FMA 7488 Anatomical terms of bone ( edit on Wikidata ) The xiphoid process / ˈzaɪfɔɪd /, or xiphisternum or metasternum, is a small cartilaginous process ( extension ) of the lower ( inferior ) part of the sternum, which is usually ossified in the adult human. It may also be referred to as the ensiform process. Both the Greek derived xiphoid and its Latin equivalent ensiform mean ' swordlike '. Contents 1 Structure 1.1 Development 1.2 Variation 1.3 Other animals 2 Function 3 Clinical significance 4 Etymology 5 Superficial effect 6 Additional images 7 References 8 External links Structure The xiphoid process is considered to be at the level of the 9th thoracic vertebra and the T6 dermatome. Development In newborns and young ( especially slender ) infants, the tip of the xiphoid process may be both seen and felt as a lump just below the sternal notch. By age 15 to 29, the xiphoid usually fuses to the body of the sternum with a fibrous joint. Unlike the synovial articulation of major joints, this is non-movable. Ossification of the xiphoid process occurs around age 40. Variation The xiphoid process can be naturally bifurcated, and sometimes perforated. These variances in morphology are inheritable, which can help group family members together when dealing with burial remains. These morphological differences pose no health risk, and are simply a difference in form. Other animals In birds, the xiphoid process is a long structure, often following the direction of the keel. Function Much the way the first seven ribs articulate with the sternum, the cartilage in the celiac plexus joins on the xiphoid process, reinforcing it, and indirectly attaches the costal cartilage to the sternum. The xiphoid process is involved in the attachment of many muscles, including the abdominal diaphragm, a muscle necessary for normal breathing. It also anchors the rectus abdominus muscles ( `` abs '' ). During CPR, it is important to not put pressure on the xiphoid process. This piece of bone is unsupported and can easily be broken off, causing damage to internal organs. Proper placement of the hands during CPR is at the base of the sternum, just above the xiphoid process. Clinical significance Pressure on the xiphoid process should be avoided when administering chest compressions in CPR, as this can cause the xiphoid process to break off, resulting in punctures or lacerations of the diaphragm. Additionally, the liver may be punctured, resulting in lethal hemorrhaging. Xiphoidalgia ( Xiphodynia ) is a syndrome distinguishable by pain and tenderness to the sternum. While some sources describe this disorder as rare, others suggest it is relatively common but overlooked by physicians. This is a musculoskeletal disorder that has the ability to produce a constellation of symptoms that can mimic a number of common abdominal and thoracic disorders and diseases. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, chest pain, nausea and radiating pain to the back, neck, and shoulders. Lifting heavy objects or trauma to the chest may be the cause of this musculoskeletal disorder and pain may be heightened by bending or twisting. Anesthetic and steroid injections are commonly employed to treat this medical condition. The earliest known case of this was noted in 1712. After age 40, a person may become aware of their partially ossified xiphoid process and mistake it for an abnormality. Pericardiocentesis, the procedure whereby fluid is aspirated from the pericardium, often uses the xiphoid process as an anatomical landmark by which this procedure is carried out. Substernal fossa as superficial pendant of xiphoid process Etymology The word xiphoid derives from the Greek word xiphos for straight sword, the tip of which the process somewhat resembles. The xiphoid process is a translation of Latin processus xiphoides. The writings of the Greek physician Galen refer to Os xyphoides a translation of ξιφοειδές ὀστοῦν. Classical Latin os and Ancient Greek ὀστοῦν both mean bone, while ξιφοειδές means sword - shaped. Superficial effect Substernal triangle, surface pendant of xhipoid process, of pectoralis major, rectus abdominis and sternum, form sternal fossa, calix, and as to rectum fossae sequences of tendinous intersections. Additional images Position of xiphoid process ( shown in red ). Animation. Close up. Shape of a xiphoid process. Animation. References Jump up ^ Muscolino, Joseph E. ( 2008 ). The Muscle and Bone Palpation Manual with Trigger Points, Referral Patterns and Stretching. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 104. ISBN 978 - 0323051712. ^ Jump up to : Moore, Keith L. Moore Clinically Oriented Anatomy ( 7 ed. ). LWW. p. 84. ISBN 9781451119459. Jump up ^ https://medlicker.com/984-xiphoid-process-pain Jump up ^ major causes of musculoskeletal chest pain Archived December 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Simpson, JK ; Hawken, E. `` Xiphodynia : a diagnostic conundrum ''. Chiropr Osteopat. 15 : 13. PMC 2045657. PMID 17868466. doi : 10.1186 / 1746 - 1340 - 15 - 13. Jump up ^ Sam, Amir H. ; James T.H. Teo ( September 2010 ). Rapid Medicine. Wiley - Blackwell. ISBN 1 - 4051 - 8323 - 3. Jump up ^ Siebenhaar, F.J. ( 1850 ). Terminologisches Wörterbuch der medicinischen Wissenschaften. ( Zweite Auflage ). Leipzig : Arnoldische Buchhandlung. Jump up ^ Triepel, H. ( 1910 ). Die anatomischen Namen. Ihre Ableitung und Aussprache. Mit einem Anhang : Biographische Notizen. ( Dritte Auflage ). Wiesbaden : Verlag J.F. Bergmann. ^ Jump up to : Liddell, H.G. & Scott, R. ( 1940 ). A Greek - English Lexicon. revised and augmented throughout by Sir Henry Stuart Jones. with the assistance of. Roderick McKenzie. Oxford : Clarendon Press. Jump up ^ Cosmo, Lepota L. ( 2017 ). Micro-Topology with some insightful remarks on topophenomena. Lulu Inc. p. 90. ISBN 978 - 1 - 387 - 15660 - 3 External links This article uses anatomical terminology ; for an overview, see Anatomical terminology. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Xiphoid processes. Bones of torso Vertebrae General structure Body Arch pedicle lamina notch Vertebral foramen Intervertebral foramen Processes transverse articular spinous Spinal canal Cervical vertebrae Uncinate process of vertebra Transverse foramen Anterior tubercle Carotid tubercle Posterior tubercle Atlas lateral mass anterior arch posterior arch Axis dens Vertebra prominens Thoracic vertebrae Costal facets superior inferior transverse Uncinate process of vertebra Lumbar vertebrae Processes accessory mammillary Sacrum Base sacral promontory Ala of sacrum Lateral surface sacral tuberosity Pelvic surface anterior sacral foramina Dorsal surface posterior sacral foramina Median sacral crest Medial sacral crest Lateral sacral crest Sacral canal sacral hiatus Coccyx Coccygeal cornu Thorax Rib cage Ribs true ribs false ribs floating ribs Parts angle tubercle costal groove neck head Sternum Suprasternal notch Manubrium Sternal angle Body of sternum Xiphisternal joint Xiphoid process Thoracic cage Thoracic inlet Thoracic outlet Intercostal space Costal margin Infrasternal angle Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Xiphoid_process&oldid=799363066 '' Categories : Bones of the thorax Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links Medicine infobox template using GraySubject or GrayPage Talk Contents About Wikipedia Azərbaycanca Башҡортса Català Español Euskara فارسی Français Gaeilge Polski Português Русский Українська Tiếng Việt Edit links This page was last edited on 7 September 2017, at 07 : 12. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: what is the name of the small piece of cartilage at the bottom of the sternum
Answer: xiphoid process