iPedia Free Information Center

Information about Xiphoid Process

Bone: Xiphoid process
Lateral border of sternum. (Xiphoid process labeled at bottom.)
Posterior surface of sternum.
Latinprocessus xiphoideus
subject #27 121
MeSH Xiphoid+Bone
The xiphoid process is a small cartilaginous extension to the lower part of the sternum which is usually ossified in the adult human. By age 15 to 29, the xiphoid usually fuses to the body of the sternum with a fibrous joint. Unlike the synovial articulation of major joints, this is non movable. Much the way the first seven ribs articulate with the sternum, the cartilage in the solar plexus joins on the xiphoid process, reinforcing it, and indirectly attaches the costal cartilage to the sternum.

Bifurcation

The xiphoid process can be bifurcated, and sometimes perforated, naturally. These variances in morphology are inheritable, which can help group family members together when dealing with burial remains. These morphological differences pose no health risk, and are simply a difference in form.

Clinical significance

Pressure on the xiphoid process should be avoided when administering chest compressions in CPR, as this can cause the xiphoid process to break off and be driven into the heart lining and muscle, resulting in punctures or lacerations of the diaphragm.

Xiphoid process in birds

In birds, the xiphoid process is a long structure, often following the direction of the carina.

Etymology

The word derives from the Greek word xiphos for straight sword, the tip of which the process somewhat resembles.

Additional images


The human rib cage.

Anterior surface of sternum and costal cartilages.

The diaphragm. Under surface.





Spine [ edit]
general structures: body of vertebra, vertebral arch (pedicle, lamina, vertebral notch), foramina (vertebral, intervertebral), processes (transverse, articular, spinous) cervical vertebrae: C1 (anterior arch, posterior arch, lateral mass), C2 (dens), C7, posterior tubercle, foramen transversarium thoracic vertebrae: costal facets (superior, inferior, transverse) lumbar vertebrae: accessory process, mammillary process sacrum/coccyx: pelvic surface (anterior sacral foramina, dorsal surface (posterior sacral foramina, median sacral crest, medial sacral crest, lateral sacral crest), lateral surface, base, sacral hiatus
sternum (from Greek στέρνον, sternon, "chest" and hebrew pronounced "Shamokin" also meaning chest) or breastbone is a long, flat bone located in the center of the thorax (chest).
..... Click the link for more information.
Latin}}} 
Official status
Official language of: Vatican City
Used for official purposes, but not spoken in everyday speech
Regulated by: Opus Fundatum Latinitas
Roman Catholic Church
Language codes
ISO 639-1: la
ISO 639-2: lat
..... Click the link for more information.
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) is a huge controlled vocabulary (or metadata system) for the purpose of indexing journal articles and books in the life sciences. Created and updated by the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM), it is used by the MEDLINE/PubMed
..... Click the link for more information.
In anatomy, a process (Latin: processus) is a projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body.

Examples

Examples of processes include:
  • the mastoid process
  • the xyphoid process

..... Click the link for more information.
Cartilage is a type of dense connective tissue. It is composed of collagen fibers and/or elastin fibers, and can supply smooth surfaces for the movement of articulating bones.
..... Click the link for more information.
sternum (from Greek στέρνον, sternon, "chest" and hebrew pronounced "Shamokin" also meaning chest) or breastbone is a long, flat bone located in the center of the thorax (chest).
..... Click the link for more information.
Ossification is the process of bone formation, in which connective tissues, such as cartilage are turned to bone or bone-like tissue. The ossified tissue is invaginated with blood vessels. These blood vessels bring minerals like calcium and deposit it in the ossifying tissue.
..... Click the link for more information.
The celiac plexus (also known as the solar plexus) is a complex network of nerves (a plexus) located in the abdomen.

The celiac plexus is located near where the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries branch from the abdominal aorta.
..... Click the link for more information.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest or, in some circumstances, respiratory arrest.[1] CPR is performed in hospitals, or in the community by laypersons or by emergency response professionals.
..... Click the link for more information.
Carina may refer to:
  • Carina (constellation)
  • Carina Dwarf, a dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way
  • Carinatae, a term within phylogenetic taxonomy referring to birds
  • USS Carina (AK-74)

..... Click the link for more information.
Greek}}} 
Writing system: Greek alphabet 
Official status
Official language of:  Greece
 Cyprus
 European Union
recognised as minority language in parts of:
 European Union
 Italy
 Turkey
Regulated by:
..... Click the link for more information.
xiphos (ξίφος) is a double-edged, single-hand sword used by the ancient Greeks. It was a secondary battlefield weapon for the Greek armies after the spear or javelin. The blade was around 65 cm long.
..... Click the link for more information.
vertebral column (backbone or spine) is a column of 34 vertebrae, the sacrum, intervertebral discs, and the coccyx situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by spinal discs. It houses the spinal cord in its spinal canal.
..... Click the link for more information.
The body is the largest part of a vertebra, and is more or less cylindrical in shape.

Its upper and lower surfaces are flattened and rough, and give attachment to the intervertebral fibrocartilages, and each presents a rim around its circumference.
..... Click the link for more information.
The vertebral arch (or neural arch) is the posterior part of a vertebra.

It consists of a pair of pedicles and a pair of laminae, and supports seven processes:
  • four articular processes
  • two transverse processes
  • one spinous process


..... Click the link for more information.
The pedicles (from Latin pediculus, "small foot") are two short, thick processes, which project backward, one on either side, from the upper part of the body, at the junction of its posterior and lateral surfaces.
..... Click the link for more information.
The laminæ are two broad plates directed backward and medially from the pedicles.

They fuse in the middle line posteriorly, and so complete the posterior boundary of the vertebral foramen.
..... Click the link for more information.
Spine [ edit]
general structures: body of vertebra, vertebral arch (pedicle, lamina, vertebral notch), foramina (vertebral, intervertebral), processes (transverse, articular, spinous) cervical vertebrae:
..... Click the link for more information.
In a typical vertebra, the vertebral foramen is the foramen formed by the anterior segment (the body), and the posterior part, the vertebral arch.

The vertebral foramen begins at cervical vertebrae #1 (atlas) and continues inferior to lumbar vertebrae #5.
..... Click the link for more information.
intervertebral foramina (singular: foramen; also called neural foramina). The foramen allows for the passage of the spinal nerve root, dorsal root ganglion, the spinal artery of the segmental artery, communicating veins between the internal and external plexuses,
..... Click the link for more information.
The transverse processes of a vertebra, two in number, project one at either side from the point where the lamina joins the pedicle, between the superior and inferior articular processes. They serve for the attachment of muscles and ligaments.
..... Click the link for more information.
The articular processes (zygapophyses) of a vertebra, two superior and two inferior, spring from the junctions of the pedicles and laminæ.
  • The superior processes project upward from a lower vertebra, and their articular surfaces are directed more or less backward.

..... Click the link for more information.
The spinous process of a vertebra is directed backward and downward from the junction of the laminae (in humans), and serves for the attachment of muscles and ligaments. In animals without an erect stance, the process points upward and may slant forward or backward.
..... Click the link for more information.
In vertebrates, cervical vertebrae (singular: vertebra) are those vertebrae immediately behind (caudal to) the skull.

Variation among species

In some species, some parts of the skull may be composed of vertebra-like elements, e.g.
..... Click the link for more information.
In anatomy, the atlas (C1) is the topmost (first) cervical vertebra of the spine.

It is named for the Atlas of mythology, because it supports the globe of the head.
..... Click the link for more information.
The anterior arch of the atlas forms about one-fifth of the ring of the atlas: its anterior surface is convex, and presents at its center the anterior tubercle for the attachment of the Longus colli muscles; posteriorly it is concave, and marked by a smooth, oval or circular facet
..... Click the link for more information.
In a cervical vertebra, the posterior arch forms about two-fifths of the circumference of the ring: it ends behind in the posterior tubercle, which is the rudiment of a spinous process and gives origin to the Recti capitis posteriores minores.
..... Click the link for more information.
The lateral masses are the most bulky and solid parts of the atlas, in order to support the weight of the head.

Each carries two articular facets, a superior and an inferior.
..... Click the link for more information.
axis (from Latin axis, "axle") or epistropheus.

It forms the pivot upon which the first cervical vertebra (the atlas), which carries the head, rotates.
..... Click the link for more information.
The dens or odontoid process or odontoid peg of the axis exhibits a slight constriction or neck, where it joins the body.

On its anterior surface is an oval or nearly circular facet for articulation with that on the anterior arch of the atlas.
..... Click the link for more information.


This article is copied from an article on Wikipedia.org - the free encyclopedia created and edited by online user community. The text was not checked or edited by anyone on our staff. Although the vast majority of the wikipedia encyclopedia articles provide accurate and timely information please do not assume the accuracy of any particular article. This article is distributed under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License.
Herod_Archelaus


page counter