Advanced Body of Sternum Quiz

Q1. Which developmental process produces the body of the sternum?

• Fusion of thoracic vertebral bodies
• Fusion of the first seven ribs
• Midline fusion of paired sternal bars followed by ossification of sternebrae
• Direct ossification of the notochord

Q2. The sternebrae of the sternal body normally fuse primarily in which direction during maturation?

• Posterior to anterior
• Superior to inferior
• Lateral to medial
• Inferior to superior

Q3. Which feature of the adult sternal body reflects its formation from multiple sternebrae?

• A superior articular facet for T1
• A single large vertebral foramen
• Paired transverse processes
• Transverse ridges on its anterior surface

Q4. Which structure lies directly posterior to much of the lower body of the sternum in the anterior mediastinal region?

• Descending thoracic aorta
• Pericardium
• Thoracic vertebral bodies
• Thoracic duct

Q5. Which paired vessels descend close to the lateral margins of the sternum but do not normally lie directly against its midline posterior surface?

• Common carotid vessels
• Femoral vessels
• Internal thoracic vessels
• Renal vessels

Q6. Why is the sternal body clinically suitable for bone marrow aspiration in selected patients?

• It contains hematopoietic marrow and is superficially accessible
• It contains cerebrospinal fluid
• It directly encloses the thoracic duct
• It contains a large synovial cavity

Q7. Why must excessive penetration be avoided during sternal bone marrow aspiration?

• The kidneys lie immediately behind the sternum
• The brachial plexus crosses the posterior surface of the sternal body
• The spinal cord lies immediately behind the sternum
• Vital mediastinal structures lie posterior to the sternum

Q8. During a median sternotomy, which part of the sternum constitutes most of the bone divided along the midline?

• First costal cartilage
• Clavicular notch
• Body of the sternum
• Jugular notch

Q9. Which articulation at the superior end of the sternal body serves as the reference point for identifying the second rib?

• First sternocostal joint
• Sternoclavicular joint
• Manubriosternal joint
• Xiphisternal joint

Q10. Which description best summarizes the body of the sternum?

• The elongated central sternal segment connecting the manubrium and xiphoid process
• The broad superior segment articulating directly with both clavicles
• A paired structure forming the posterior thoracic wall
• The small inferior cartilaginous projection of the sternum