Sternal angle: Definition from Answers.com

Sternal angle

Lateral border of sternum.

Anterior surface of sternum and costal cartilages. (Sternal angle not labeled, but visible at second costal cartilage.)
Latin	angulus sterni, angulus sternalis
Gray's	subject #27 121

The sternal angle or 'angle of Louis' is the anterior angle formed by the junction of the manubrium and the body of the sternum^[1] (the manubriosternal junction) in the form of a secondary cartilaginous joint (symphysis). This is also called the manubriosternal joint or Angle of Louis. The sternal angle is a palpable clinical landmark.

It marks the approximate level of the 2nd pair of costal cartilages and the level of the intervertebral disc between T4 and T5. It also marks approximately the beginning and end of the aortic arch, and the bifurcation of the trachea into the left and right main bronchi.

The angle is approximately 140 degrees.

References

^ Dalley, Arthur F.; Moore, Keith L.. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-7817-5936-6.

External links

SUNY Labs 18:st-0212 - "Thoracic Wall: Bones"
sternal+angle at eMedicine Dictionary

Bones of torso

Sternum

Suprasternal notch, Manubrium, Sternal angle, Body of sternum, Xiphisternal joint, Xiphoid process

Rib

specific ribs (1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, true – 1–7, false – 8–12, floating – 11–12) – parts (Angle, Tubercle, Costal groove, Neck, Head)

Vertebra

General structures	body of vertebra, vertebral arch (pedicle, lamina, vertebral notch), foramina (vertebral, intervertebral), processes (transverse, articular/zygapophysis, spinous), spinal canal

Cervical vertebrae	C1 (anterior arch, posterior arch, lateral mass), C2 (dens), C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 anterior tubercle, posterior tubercle, foramen transversarium

Thoracic vertebrae	T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T11, T12 costal facets (superior, inferior, transverse)

Lumbar vertebrae	accessory process, mammillary process, L5

Sacrum	pelvic surface (anterior sacral foramina), dorsal surface (posterior sacral foramina, median sacral crest, medial sacral crest, lateral sacral crest), lateral surface (sacral tuberosity), base, sacral hiatus – presacral space – sacral promontory – sacral canal – ala of sacrum – sacrovertebral angle

Coccyx

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Sternal angle

See also

References

External links