Sternum is connected to ribs by hyaline cartilage (= giving a shiny glass like appearance and gives flexibility and support at the joints). Sternum is also called breast bone. It is a narrow, elongated and flattened structure, present just under the skin in the middle of front of the chest. It consists of three parts

• manubrium, mesosternum and xiphoid process. Manubrium is the thickest, strongest part and articulates with the clavicle of pectoral girdle and first pair of ribs. Mesosternum provide articulation to second to sixth pairs of ribs and xiphoid process (also called metasternum) articulates with seventh pair of ribs in association with mesosternum.