Anat Cell Biol.  2019 Mar;52(1):102-104. 10.5115/acb.2019.52.1.102.

An elongated dorsally curved xiphoid process

• Lachkar S
• Iwanaga J
• Tubbs RS

• KMID: 2442340
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2019.52.1.102

Abstract

The xiphoid process of the sternum lies in the epigastric region and functions to serve as an attachment point for vital muscles that aid in respiration. With the xiphoid process extending as the most inferior portion of the sternum, variable morphology is widely observed. During a routine dissection of a 44-year-old Caucasian male cadaver, we discovered a hook-shaped, elongated xiphoid process that protruded dorsally. Potential clinical significance can arise leading to misdiagnosis of the hook-shaped xiphoid process as an epigastric mass during imaging. Though various variations of xiphoid process have been well documented, knowledge of a hook-shaped xiphoid process orientated dorsally remains scarce. Herein, this case study provides clinicians, surgeons, and radiologists a rare anomaly of the xiphoid process in order to further the knowledge of morphological variations of the xiphoid to prevent misdiagnosis and surgical complications.

Keyword

Xiphoid process; Sternum; Anatomic variation; Anatomy; Cadaver

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anatomic Variation
Cadaver
Diagnostic Errors
Humans
Male
Muscles
Respiration
Sternum
Surgeons

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Variant of the xiphoid process. (A) An anterior view of the sternum. (B) Lateral view illustrating the angle between the sternal body and xiphoid process. Note the hook-shaped xiphoid process. (C) Lateral view with a scale.

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