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The xiphoid process
Process (anatomy)

In anatomy, a process is a projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body....
, also known as the xiphisternum is a small cartilaginous
Cartilage

Cartilage is a type of dense connective tissue. It is composed of specialized cells called chondrocyte that produce a large amount of extracellular matrix composed of collagen fibers, abundant ground substance rich in proteoglycan, and elastin fibers....
 extension to the lower part of the sternum
Sternum

The sternum is a long flat bone located in the center of the chest . It connects to the rib via cartilage, forming the rib cage with them, and thus helps to protect the lungs, heart and major blood vessels from physical trauma....
 which is usually ossified
Ossification

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....
 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 celiac plexus
Celiac plexus

The celiac plexus , also known as the solar plexus, is a complex network of nerves 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....
 joins on the xiphoid process, reinforcing it, and indirectly attaches the costal cartilage to the sternum.

xiphoid process can be bifurcated, and sometimes perforated, naturally.






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The xiphoid process
Process (anatomy)

In anatomy, a process is a projection or outgrowth of tissue from a larger body....
, also known as the xiphisternum is a small cartilaginous
Cartilage

Cartilage is a type of dense connective tissue. It is composed of specialized cells called chondrocyte that produce a large amount of extracellular matrix composed of collagen fibers, abundant ground substance rich in proteoglycan, and elastin fibers....
 extension to the lower part of the sternum
Sternum

The sternum is a long flat bone located in the center of the chest . It connects to the rib via cartilage, forming the rib cage with them, and thus helps to protect the lungs, heart and major blood vessels from physical trauma....
 which is usually ossified
Ossification

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....
 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 celiac plexus
Celiac plexus

The celiac plexus , also known as the solar plexus, is a complex network of nerves 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....
 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
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest or, in some circumstances, respiratory arrest. CPR is performed in hospitals, or in the community by layman or by emergency response professionals....
, 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. The xiphoid process is considered to be at the level of the 9th thoracic vertebrae.

Xiphoid process in birds

In birds, the xiphoid process is a long structure, often following the direction of the carinatae
Carinatae

This article is about bird taxonomy; for the topic in pottery and glassware design, see Carinate.The Carinatae are, in phylogenetic taxonomy, the last common ancestor of the Neornithes and Ichthyornis , and all its descendants....
.

Etymology

The word derives from the Greek
Greek language

Greek is an Indo-European languages native to the southern Balkan peninsula, the language of the Greek people. It forms an independent branch within Indo-European....
 word xiphos
Xiphos

The Xiphos 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 pilum....
 for straight sword, the tip of which the process somewhat resembles.

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