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The sternalis muscle and its clinical significance
Author(s) -
Snosek Michael,
Tubbs Shane,
Loukas Marios
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.746.8
Subject(s) - parasternal line , medicine , pectoralis major muscle , anatomy , fascia , population , clinical significance , surgery , pathology , environmental health
The sternalis muscle is a well documented but rare muscular variation of the anterior chest wall. It lies between the superficial fascia and the pectoral fascia, and is found in 3–6% of the population. It presents in varied morphological variants both in unilateral and bilateral fashion and has no apparent physiological function. Much disagreement still exists about its nerve supply and embryological origin. With the advent of medical imaging and thoracic surgery the clinical importance of this muscle has been re‐emphasized. The sternalis muscle has been implicated in misdiagnosis of breast masses on routine mammograms due to its parasternal location and relative unfamiliarity with radiologists. When undetected prior to any thoracic surgery, it has the potential to interfere with and prolong such procedures. When present and detected it can be used as a muscular flap in reconstructive surgeries of the breast and neck. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta‐analysis on the sternalis muscle with special emphasis on its anatomy, embryology, clinical implications and potential iatrogenic complications. Grant Funding Source : SGU