Sternum Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Imaging shows an injury to the small, lowest part of the sternum. Which structure is affected?
Jugular notch
Xiphoid process
Manubrium
Sternal angle
2. Why can the sternum serve as a site for obtaining a bone marrow sample in selected clinical settings?
It contains a large synovial cavity
It encloses the thoracic duct
It is a superficial flat bone containing marrow
It is composed entirely of elastic cartilage
3. The sternal angle is formed where which two parts meet?
Body and xiphoid process
Manubrium and body
Manubrium and first costal cartilage
Manubrium and clavicle
4. A palpable transverse ridge marks the junction between the manubrium and body. What is this ridge called?
Clavicular notch
Costal margin
Sternal angle
Xiphisternal joint
5. A clinician palpates the shallow midline depression at the top of the sternum. Which landmark is this?
Clavicular notch
Costal notch
Jugular notch
Sternal angle
6. Which structures articulate with the clavicular notches of the sternum?
First ribs
Clavicles
Scapulae
Second costal cartilages
7. In a median sternotomy, how is the sternum typically divided to provide access to the thoracic cavity?
Transversely through the sternal angle
Only through the xiphoid process
Obliquely through the manubrium
Longitudinally along the midline
8. Which sequence lists the three main parts of the sternum from superior to inferior?
Body, manubrium, xiphoid process
Manubrium, body, xiphoid process
Manubrium, xiphoid process, body
Xiphoid process, body, manubrium
9. During a physical examination, the sternal angle helps a clinician locate which costal cartilage?
Seventh costal cartilage
First costal cartilage
Second costal cartilage
Tenth costal cartilage
10. A patient has an anterior chest-wall deformity in which the sternum projects forward. Which term describes this pattern?
Pectus carinatum
Pectus excavatum
Flail chest
Kyphosis
11. Which bone does not normally articulate directly with the sternum?
Scapula
First rib
Second rib
Clavicle
12. For adult chest compressions, where should the rescuer place the heel of the hand in relation to the sternum?
Over the jugular notch
Directly over the xiphoid process
On the left clavicular notch
On the lower half of the sternum
13. Which part forms the long central portion of the sternum and contains several costal notches?
Body
Manubrium
Xiphoid process
Jugular notch
14. A student traces the first costal cartilage medially toward the sternum. Which part of the sternum does it meet?
Sternal body
Xiphisternal joint
Xiphoid process
Manubrium
15. A surgeon identifies the junction between the body of the sternum and its inferior tip. Which joint has been located?
Sternoclavicular joint
Manubriosternal joint
Costochondral joint
Xiphisternal joint
16. Which statement best describes the sternum’s position in the thoracic cage?
It forms a central part of the anterior thoracic wall
It lies in the posterior midline beside the vertebral column
It forms the lateral wall beneath each scapula
It lies below the diaphragm in the abdominal wall