Suprasternal notch

Visible dip in the neck in humans

Suprasternal notch
Suprasternal notch (indicated by yellow circle)
The position of the suprasternal notch seen here, labelled as "jugular notch"
Details
Location	Bottom of the neck; above the manubrium of the sternum, and between the two clavicles
Identifiers
Latin	incisura jugularis sternalis, fossa jugularis sterni
TA98	A02.3.03.004
TA2	1132
FMA	7542
Anatomical terms of bone [edit on Wikidata]

The suprasternal notch, also known as the fossa jugularis sternalis, jugular notch, or Plender gap, is a large, visible dip in between the neck in humans, between the clavicles, and above the manubrium of the sternum.

Structure

The suprasternal notch is a visible dip in between the neck, between the clavicles, and above the manubrium of the sternum. It is at the level of the T2 and T3 vertebrae.^[1] The trachea lies just behind it, rising about 5 cm above it in adults.^[2]

Clinical significance

Intrathoracic pressure is measured by using a transducer held in such a way over the body that an actuator engages the soft tissue that is located above the suprasternal notch. Arcot J. Chandrasekhar, MD of Loyola University, Chicago, is the author of an evaluative test for the aorta using the suprasternal notch.^[3] The test can help recognize the following conditions:

Aneurysm
Dissecting aneurysm
Atherosclerosis
Hypertension

To carry out this test it is necessary to place an index finger or middle finger on the notch and palpate it. A prominent pulse may be indicative of an uncoiled aorta, arch aneurysm, or a tortuous blood vessel.

References

^ Fessler, Richard G.; Kim, Daniel H. (2012-01-01), Quiñones-Hinojosa, Alfredo (ed.), "Chapter 191 - Surgical Approaches to the Cervicothoracic Junction", Schmidek and Sweet Operative Neurosurgical Techniques (Sixth Edition), Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, pp. 2177–2191, ISBN 978-1-4160-6839-6, retrieved 2021-01-06
^ Colson, Y. L.; Paul, S. (2006-01-01), "TRACHEOSTOMY", in Laurent, Geoffrey J.; Shapiro, Steven D. (eds.), Encyclopedia of Respiratory Medicine, Oxford: Academic Press, pp. 239–242, ISBN 978-0-12-370879-3, retrieved 2021-01-06
^ MedEd at Loyola MEDICINE/PULMONAR/PD/pstep37a.htm - Evaluative tests using the suprasternal notch

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Suprasternal notch.

blog entry on Ucipital Mapilary citing film dialogue.

Bones of the torso

Vertebrae

General structure	Body Arch pedicle lamina notch Vertebral foramen Intervertebral foramen Processes transverse articular spinous Spinal canal
Cervical vertebrae	Uncinate process of vertebra Transverse foramen Anterior tubercle Carotid tubercle Posterior tubercle Atlas lateral mass anterior arch posterior arch Axis dens Vertebra prominens
Thoracic vertebrae	Costal facets superior inferior transverse Uncinate process of vertebra
Lumbar vertebrae	Processes accessory mammillary
Sacrum	Base sacral promontory Ala of sacrum Lateral surface sacral tuberosity Pelvic surface anterior sacral foramina Dorsal surface posterior sacral foramina Median sacral crest Medial sacral crest Lateral sacral crest Sacral canal sacral hiatus
Coccyx	none

Thorax

Rib cage	Ribs true ribs false ribs floating ribs Parts angle tubercle costal groove neck head
Sternum	Suprasternal notch Manubrium Sternal angle Body of sternum Xiphisternal joint Xiphoid process
Thoracic cage	Superior thoracic aperture Intercostal space Costal margin Infrasternal angle