Technical Tuesday
Xiphoid Process
Although the name
of this bone sounds like it should be something that dancers do (we are
all familiar the word process), it is actually the smallest bone of the
sternum. The word comes from the Greek word for “sword-shaped”, and this more
or less describes the shape of this bone. It is largest at the top, where it
attaches to the sternum by a thin, moveable joint (syndesmosis).
When a baby is
born, the xiphoid process is a triangular piece of cartilage that gradually
ossifies and fuses with the rest of the sternum. This transformation is so
gradual that it often doesn’t end until the person reaches the age of 40!
The xiphoid process is an attachment
point for several muscles, including the diaphragm – essential for breathing.
Another interesting fact about the xiphoid process is that is it often used
as a bony landmark for determining where chest compressions should be administered
in CPR (although these compressions should never be done directly on the
xiphoid process itself).
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From the Big Blue Book
of Ballet Secrets:
Ballet Secret #42n:
“The xiphoid process
is the smallest bone of the sternum.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“Success is three parts hard work and one
part serendipity; this serendipity is a direct result of the other three parts
of hard work.”
― Ken Poirot
― Ken Poirot
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