What is under your xiphoid process? The xiphoid process is the lowest and smallest part of the sternum. It articulates with the inferior portion of the 7th costal cartilage and provides attachment for rectus abdominis
Rectus abdominis muscle
The rectus abdominis muscle, also known as the "abdominal muscle" or "abs", is a paired muscle running vertically on each side of the anterior wall of the human abdomen, as well as that of some other mammals. There are two parallel muscles, separated by a midline band of connective tissue called the linea alba. It extends from the pubic symphysis, pubic crest and pubic tubercle inferiorly, to the xip…
Full Answer
Where is the xiphoid process located?
Image credit: Anatomography, November 3, 2012 The xiphoid process is a tiny bone structure located at the center of the chest, just below the lower part of the sternum. At birth, the xiphoid process is formed from cartilage that eventually develops into bone.
What happens if your xiphoid process is broken?
A broken xiphoid process increases inflammation, which leads to pain and tenderness in the chest. You may also experience xiphoid process pain with acid reflux. This is when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.
How do you treat a xiphoid process?
1 Place crushed ice in a sealable plastic bag or a bag of frozen peas and wrap in a thin towel. 2 Apply the ice pack to your xiphoid process for 20 minutes every hour in the first 2 days after the trauma. 3 On the third day, apply the cold compress for 10 to 20 minutes 3 times a day to your sternum to reduce pain and any swelling.
What organ is below Xiphoid?
The pancreas. The pancreas is part of the digestive system. The pancreas is quite high up in your abdomen. It lies across your body where your ribs meet at the bottom of your breastbone, just behind your stomach.
What organ is just below the sternum?
The thymus is a small organ located just behind the breast bone (sternum) in the front part of the chest.
What is the lump just below my sternum?
Symptoms of an epigastric hernia An epigastric hernia usually causes a bump to occur in the area below your sternum, or breastbone, and above your belly button. This bump is caused by a mass of fat that has pushed through the hernia. The raised area may be visible all the time or only when you cough, sneeze, or laugh.
Does anything attach to xiphoid process?
Anteriorly, the xiphoid process serves as the attachment point for fibers of the rectus abdominis muscle and the aponeurosis of the internal and external oblique muscles of the anterior abdominal wall [2].
What organ is directly behind the xiphoid process?
This is when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. Acid reflux can irritate the lining of the esophagus, and since the esophagus is located behind the breastbone, xiphoid process pain can develop along with reflux symptoms.
Why does my stomach hurt right below my sternum?
Gastritis. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. It may cause upper abdominal pain (just below your breastbone). The pain is often described as a burning feeling.
What causes xiphoid process lump in adults?
Xiphoid syndrome is a rare condition that causes inflammation of the lower tip of the sternum, which is called the xiphoid process. In addition to the lump, it can cause pain in the sternum, chest, and back. It can be caused by blunt trauma or repetitive injury.
What does a tumor on sternum feel like?
Pain or soreness. Swelling. Impaired movement or chest expansion. Protrusion as with a lump.
What does a cancerous lump feel like?
Bumps that are cancerous are typically large, hard, painless to the touch and appear spontaneously. The mass will grow in size steadily over the weeks and months. Cancerous lumps that can be felt from the outside of your body can appear in the breast, testicle, or neck, but also in the arms and legs.
Can the xiphoid process get inflamed?
Xiphoid syndrome involves painful swelling and discomfort of the xiphoid process of the sternum [1]. Inflammation of the xiphoid process, causing xiphodynia, arises from mechanical injury to that anatomic region. The prevalence of xiphoid syndrome is not well known as there is limited literature on this rare condition.
What muscles attach to the xiphoid process?
The xiphoid process provides an attachment site for the diaphragm, the most important muscle of respiration, and the abdominal muscular including the external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and rectus abdominis muscles.
Is xiphoid process harmful?
The xiphoid is a rudimentary bone, and it is often without harm to the patient.
What organ is below the rib cage in the middle?
Your spleen is tucked below your rib cage next to your stomach on the left side of your belly.
What causes pain below the chest?
Pain below your ribs can be caused by your GI tract, like GERD, indigestion, gallbladder disease, or constipation, or problems with your lungs, like pneumonia. You may also have nausea, bloating, chest pain, coughing, or pain that's worse when you breathe in.
What organ is in the middle of your chest?
Your heart is located between your lungs in the middle of your chest, behind and slightly to the left of your breastbone (sternum).
What is under the middle of your rib cage?
The diaphragm is a mushroom-shaped muscle that sits beneath your lower-to-middle rib cage. It separates your abdomen from your thoracic area. Your diaphragm helps you breathe by lowering when you inhale, in that way, allowing your lungs to expand.
What Is The Xiphoid Process?
Your xiphoid process is a small cartilaginous extension at the lower end of your breastbone, or sternum. At birth, it is a thin, roughly triangular...
Symptoms of Xiphoid Process Pain
Conditions that result in aches and pain in your xiphoid process can cause various types of symptoms. Xiphodynia can cause pain directly in the cen...
Causes of Xiphoid Process Pain
Let’s look in more detail at what can be the reason for xiphoid process pain and what you can do to relieve the pain naturally.
How Doctors Diagnose Xiphoid Process Pain
As mentioned in this article, it can be difficult for doctors to diagnose xiphoid process pain. One reason is that there is a risk that any chest p...
How to Treat Xiphoid Process Pain
There are various ways to treat xiphoid process pain naturally depending on the cause of xiphoidalgia.
Xiphoid Process Pain – When to See A Doctor
Even though xiphoid process pain is harmless in itself and doesn’t usually cause any other complication other than discomfort, you should never ign...
What is the process of forming xiphoid?
At birth, the xiphoid process is formed from cartilage that eventually develops into bone.
Why is the xiphoid process painful?
Discomfort in the xiphoid process can be painful as it can affect the lower ribcage, breastbone, and several major muscles located around the abdomen and diaphragm. The name xiphoid derives from the Greek word for “straight sword” as the structure has a sharp tip, resembling a sword. It is also known by other names including the metasternum, ...
How to treat xiphoid pain?
Treatment for xiphoid process pain depends on its cause. A doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain. They may also recommend that a person experiencing pain from xiphoid process avoids high-intensity exercise or activities that put a strain on the area. Damage to the xiphoid process itself is not severe.
What kind of imaging is used to diagnose xiphoid pain?
Given the difficulty in confirming xiphoid process pain, doctors may recommend an X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ), or computerized tomography (CT) scan. With the help of these images, it is possible to assess any damage to the structure and the extent of any inflammation.
How to remove xiphoid?
The xiphoid process can be removed using an electrosurgical dissection of the lower sternum. The procedure is considered safe, with a low risk of complications.
Can xiphoid cause pain in lower sternum?
Symptoms tend to come and go, making it a challenge to diagnose. It is also possible for the area to become inflamed, causing a lump to develop around the lower sternum.
Can xiphoid fractures damage organs?
Damage to the xiphoid process itself is not severe. However, if the xiphoid process breaks or fractures, it is possible for bone fragments to cause damage surrounding vital organs. For example, it is possible for a bone fragment to puncture the lungs, which can be life-threatening.
Where is the xiphoid process located?
The xiphoid process is considered to be at the level of the 9th thoracic vertebra and the T7 dermatome .
When does the xiphoid fusion occur?
Unlike the synovial articulation of major joints, this is non-movable. Ossification of the xiphoid process occurs around age 40.
When was the xiphoid ossified?
Anesthetic and steroid injections are commonly employed to treat this medical condition. The earliest known case of this was noted in 1712. After age 40, a person may become aware of their partially ossified xiphoid process and mistake it for an abnormality.
What is the procedure where fluid is aspirated from the pericardium?
Pericardiocentesis , the procedure whereby fluid is aspirated from the pericardium, often uses the xiphoid process as an anatomical landmark by which this procedure is carried out.
Where does the word "xiphoid" come from?
The word xiphoid derives from the Greek word xiphos for straight sword, the tip of which the process somewhat resembles. The xiphoid process is a translation of Latin processus xiphoides. The writings of the Greek physician Galen refer to Os xyphoides a translation of ξιφοειδές ὀστοῦν.
Which muscle is involved in the xiphoid process?
The xiphoid process is involved in the attachment of many muscles, including the abdominal diaphragm, a muscle necessary for normal breathing. It also anchors the rectus abdominis muscles ("abs").
Which process is involved in the attachment of the ribs?
Much the way the first seven ribs articulate with the sternum, the cartilage in the celiac plexus joins on the xiphoid process, reinforcing it, and indirectly attaches the costal cartilage to the sternum. The xiphoid process is involved in the attachment of many muscles, including the abdominal diaphragm, a muscle necessary for normal breathing. It also anchors the rectus abdominis muscles ("abs").
What is the Xiphoid Process?
Your xiphoid process is a small cartilaginous extension at the lower end of your breastbone, or sternum. At birth, it is a thin, roughly triangular region of cartilage which gradually turns into bone in adulthood and forms part of the sternum.
What causes xiphoid process pain?
Inflammation, digestive issues, or injury can cause xiphoid process pain which doctors refer to as xiphoid syndrome, xiphoidalgia, or xiphodynia. Xiphoid process pain is a common source of chest pain that can also cause abdominal discomfort and pain that radiates to other areas of your body. The symptoms of xiphoid process pain can be difficult ...
Why is my xiphodynia so painful?
Gastroesophageal reflux is another common reason for xiphodynia. The esophagus is found close to the xiphoid process and chest pain caused by GERD can also make the xiphoid process painful.
Why is xiphoid process pain so difficult to diagnose?
The symptoms of xiphoid process pain can be difficult to diagnose because it can mimic symptoms of other health issues. Your chest contains many important organs protected by your rib cage. Sometimes xiphoid syndrome discomfort can be mistaken for heart-related pain, breastbone or rib pain, or chest infections.
How to diagnose xiphoid syndrome?
Many doctors also diagnose xiphoid syndrome by looking for symptoms of GERD. This may also involve examining your digestive system with an endoscopy. Depending on the length of time you have had unresolved chest pain, a doctor may order an X-ray, CT scan or MRI scan.
Can xiphoid pain be relieved by cold?
Also, hot and cold treatment for xiphoidalgia can help to relieve pain caused by inflammation, infection, or trauma.
Can xiphoid cause stomach pain?
For example, the journal Chiropractic & Osteopathy reports that problems with the xiphoid process can cause abdominal pain , middle back pain, and even throat pain. In some instances, patients mistake xiphoid process pain for cardiac pain and they may even have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What is the Xiphoid process?
Xiphoid Process Pain – Anatomy, Causes and Treatment. The xiphoid process, also called xiphosternum and metasternum, lies at the level of 10 th thoracic vertebrae. It is also the lowest and the smallest part of the sternum, marks the lower limit of the thoracic cavity and the lower border of the heart.
Where Is Xiphoid Process Located?
As we already said, xiphoideus process is the most inferior (medical term meaning situated below, downward 2) region of the sternum. It is an important anatomical landmark of the thorax which some medical professionals use to properly place their hands for CPR.
What is the Xiphoid syndrome?
Gallbladder disease. Bone disease. The main characteristics of the xiphoid syndrome are intense, sharp xiphoid process pain when pressed, intensifying pain when bending over or twisting and tenderness to touch. In more severe cases, the pain can radiate to back, neck and shoulders and become so intense patients will feel nauseated 9.
Why does my xiphoid hurt?
Most common causes of pain in and around the xiphoid process are physical injury, GERD disease, and xiphoid syndrome.
Does xiphoid process hurt?
Protruding xiphoid process is generally not that common (in adults), but people who lose a substantial amount of weight tend to complain about this problem. In some cases, patients feel no pain whatsoever, while, in others, the area feels tender, painful and sometimes swollen.
Is there a cure for xiphoid pain?
Of course, there is no one correct solution for xiphoid process pain. The treatment will largely depend on the cause of the pain and the condition which lead to the pain. Doctor will usually start by giving the patient some analgesics, to relieve pain.
Overview
The xiphoid process /ˈzaɪfɔɪd/, or xiphisternum or metasternum, is a small cartilaginous process (extension) of the inferior (lower) part of the sternum, which is usually ossified in the adult human. It may also be referred to as the ensiform process. Both the Greek-derived xiphoid and its Latin equivalent ensiform mean 'swordlike' or 'sword-shaped'
Structure
The xiphoid process is considered to be at the level of the 9th thoracic vertebra and the T7 dermatome.
In newborns and young (especially small) infants, the tip of the xiphoid process may be both seen and felt as a lump just below the sternal notch. At 15 to 29 years old, the xiphoid usually fuses to the body of the sternum with a fibrous joint. Unlike the synovial articulation of major joints, this is …
Function
Much the way the first seven ribs articulate with the sternum, the cartilage in the celiac plexus joins on the xiphoid process, reinforcing it, and indirectly attaches the costal cartilage to the sternum. The xiphoid process is involved in the attachment of many muscles, including the abdominal diaphragm, a muscle necessary for normal breathing. It also anchors the rectus abdominis muscles ("abs").
Clinical significance
Pressure on the xiphoid process should be avoided when administering chest compressions in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as this can cause the xiphoid process to break and detach, resulting in punctures or lacerations of the diaphragm. Additionally, the liver may be punctured, resulting in deadly internal bleeding.
Xiphoidalgia (Xiphodynia) is a syndrome distinguishable by pain and tenderness to the sternum. …
Etymology
The word xiphoid derives from the Greek word xiphos for straight sword, the tip of which the process somewhat resembles. The xiphoid process is a translation of Latin processus xiphoides. The writings of the Greek physician Galen refer to Os xyphoides a translation of ξιφοειδές ὀστοῦν. Classical Latin os and Ancient Greek ὀστοῦν both mean bone, while ξιφοειδές means sword-shaped.
Additional images
• Position of xiphoid process (shown in red)
• Close up.
• Shape of a xiphoid process (animation)