Sternal cleft

Sternal Cleft

Sternal cleft (/ˈstɜːrnəl klɛft/; from the Greek sternon, meaning "chest", and the Old English cleofan, meaning "to split") is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by a midline defect or split in the sternum, or breastbone.

Definition

A sternal cleft is a condition in which the two halves of the sternum do not fuse together during fetal development. This results in a gap or cleft in the sternum, which can range from a small indentation to a complete separation of the two halves.

Etiology

The exact cause of a sternal cleft is unknown, but it is thought to occur during the early stages of fetal development when the two halves of the sternum fail to fuse together. This condition is often associated with other congenital anomalies, such as pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a sternal cleft can vary widely depending on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, there may be no symptoms at all. In more severe cases, symptoms can include difficulty breathing, chest pain, and an abnormal appearance of the chest.

Treatment

Treatment for a sternal cleft typically involves surgery to close the gap in the sternum. This is usually performed during infancy, but can also be done later in life if necessary. The goal of treatment is to improve the function and appearance of the chest.

Related Terms

• Congenital anomaly
• Sternum
• Pectus excavatum
• Pectus carinatum

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Sternal cleft
• Wikipedia's article - Sternal cleft

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