Manubrium Of The Sternum, Anterior View

Description

Manubrium sterni occupies the superior midline of the anterior thoracic cage, sitting above the sternal body and between the medial ends of the clavicles. The jugular (suprasternal) notch crowns its superior border, while the paired clavicular notches lie inferolaterally, forming the sternoclavicular joints at the root of the neck. Along each lateral margin, the costal notches accommodate the first costal cartilage and the superior half of the second, and the inferior border meets the sternal body at the manubriosternal joint. The surface is flat and subcutaneous. Orientation at this level matters in both anatomy teaching and procedures because the manubrium anchors the sternal angle (Angle of Louis), a palpable ridge used to identify the second rib and count intercostal spaces for chest drain placement, auscultation landmarks, and ECG lead positioning. Its relationship to the sternoclavicular joint also frames common injury patterns, including anterior sternoclavicular dislocation versus the more dangerous posterior displacement that can threaten the brachiocephalic veins and trachea. The anterior perspective keeps the notches and joint lines readable in a single plane, which helps when correlating palpation with surface anatomy and when illustrating manubrial fracture lines or manubriosternal joint disruption. Use this illustration in gross anatomy labs when introducing the thoracic skeleton, in radiographic anatomy chapters that pair bony landmarks with PA and lateral chest imaging, or in trauma and emergency medicine materials discussing sternal fractures and sternoclavicular joint injury. It also fits surgical education on median sternotomy entry points and preoperative landmarking around the suprasternal notch. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.