Description
The body (gladiolus) is the long, narrow, middle part of the sternum. It is located between the manubrium and xiphoid process of the sternum, at the level of the fifth to ninth thoracic vertebrae, and contains:
—two surfaces (anterior and posterior);
—Four borders (superior, inferior and two lateral).
The body of the sternum articulates with the:
—manubrium of the sternum, forming the manubriosternal joint;
—xiphoid process, forming the xiphisternal joint;
—costal cartilages of the right and left second to seventh ribs, forming the second to seventh costosternal joints.
The body of the sternum is longer in males than females.
