Sternum is a flat, T-shaped bone at the center and front of the chest that connects to other bones and muscles with cartilage. The male and female sternum have considerable differences, which are helpful in sex differentiation. Sternum usually works with the ribcage to protect the organs within the chest, such as the stomach, esophagus, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. The sternum has three parts. The upper region of the sternum is known as the manubrium; the middle region is known as the mesosternum (body), and the tail end is known as the xiphoid process.
The key difference between male and female sternum is their length. The male sternum has a comparatively longer mean length, while the female sternum has a comparatively shorter mean length. The combined length of the manubrium and mesosternum of a male is 140 mm, while the combined length of the manubrium and mesosternum of a female is 131 mm.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Male Sternum
3. What is Female Sternum
4. Similarities – Male and Female Sternum
5. Male vs Female Sternum in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Male vs Female Sternum
7. FAQ – Male and Female Sternum
What is Male Sternum?
The male sternum is the breastbone in males. There are considerable differences in the male sternum compared to the female sternum. According to recent research, the mean length of the sternum in males is 154.1 ± 13.1 mm. The combined length of the manubrium and mesosternum (body) of males is 140 mm. The sternum index of males is 50.11 ± 10.02 mm. The mean length of the manubrium of males is 51.2 ± 6 mm.
According to the same research, the sternal angle of the males is 162.21 ± 6.17, and the mean thickness of the manubrium is 9.2 ± 1.5 mm. In addition, the length of the xiphoid process of males is 39.1 ± 11.3 mm, and the thickness of the xiphoid process is 6.6 ±1.6 mm.
What is Female Sternum?
Female sternum is the breastbone in females. The female sternum has many differences when compared to the male sternum. A recent study describes that the mean length of the total sternum for female 133.1 ± 11 mm. The combined length of the manubrium and mesosternum (body) of female is131 mm. The sternum index of females is54.47 ± 10.00 mm and sternal angle is 163.75 ± 5.79.
Furthermore, the mean thickness of the manubrium of females is 8 ± 1.6 mm. The length of the xiphoid process for female is found 29 ± 10 mm and the thickness of xiphoid process for female is found 6 ± 1.3 mm.
Similarities Between Male and Female Sternum
- Male and female sternum are two different breast bones in males and females.
- They have three parts: manubrium, body, and the xiphoid process.
- Both sternum are helpful for sex differentiation.
- Both sternum protects the organs and muscles inside the chest from injury.
Difference Between Male and Female Sternum
Definition
- Male sternum is the breast bone in males that is comparatively longer.
- Female sternum is the breastbone in females that is comparatively shorter.
Mean Length of Total Sternum
- Mean length of total mal sternum is 154.1 ± 13.1 mm.
- Mean length of total female sternum is 133.1 ± 11 mm.
Combined Length of the Manubrium and Mesosternum
- Combined length of the manubrium and mesosternum in males is 140 mm.
- Combined length of the manubrium and mesosternum in females is 131 mm.
Sternum Index
- Sternum index in males is 50.11 ± 10.02 mm.
- Sternum index in females is 54.47 ± 10.00 mm.
Mean Length of Manubrium
- The mean length of manubrium in males is 51.2 ± 6 mm.
- The mean length of manubrium females is 46.7 ± 5.1 mm.
Sternal Angle
- Sternal angle in males is 162.21 ± 6.17.
- Sternal angle in females is 163.75 ± 5.79.
Mean Thickness of the Manubrium
- Mean thickness of the manubrium in males is 9.2 ± ± 1.5 mm.
- Mean thickness of the manubrium in females is 8 ± 1.6 mm.
Length of the Xiphoid Process and Thickness of Xiphoid Process
- Length of the xiphoid process in males is 39.1 ± 11.3 mm and thickness of xiphoid process is 6.6 ±1.6mm.
- Length of the xiphoid process in females is 29 ± 10 mm and thickness of xiphoid process is 6 ± 1.3 mm.
The following table summarizes the difference between male and female sternum.
Summary – Male vs Female Sternum
Male and female sternum are two different breast bones in males and females. Both can be used for sex differentiation. However, the male sternum is comparatively longer, while the female sternum is comparatively shorter. Furthermore, the mean length of the manubrium, the length of total sternum, SI, sternal angle of males are 51.2 ± 6, 154.1 ± 13.1, 50.11 ± 10.02 and 162.21 ± 6.17 while the mean length of the manubrium, the length of total sternum, SI, sternal angle of females are 46.7 ± 5.1, 133.1 ± 1.1, 54.47 ± 10.0 and 163.75 ± 5.79. This is the basic difference between male and female sternum.
FAQ: Male and Female Sternum
1. Where is your sternum located?
- The sternum is located in the middle of the chest, also known as the breastbone. It protects the organs of the chest from injury and serves as a connection point for other bones and muscles.
2. What type of shape is the sternum?
- The sternum is a partially T-shaped vertical bone. It is a fat bone that forms the anterior portion of the chest wall centrally. The sternum is made of the manubrium, body, and the xiphoid process.
3. What is the function of the sternum?
- The primary function of the sternum is the protection of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels from physical damage. It also connects to other bones and muscles with cartilage.
4. What is the length of the sternum of a male?
- Male sternum is comparatively longer. A recent study describes that the mean length of the sternum in males is 154.1 ± 13.1 mm. The combined length of the manubrium and mesosternum of male is 140 mm.
5. What is the length of the sternum of a female?
- Female sternum has a comparatively shorter mean length. A recent study describes that the mean length of the total sternum for female 133.1 ± 11 mm. The combined length of the manubrium and mesosternum of female is 131 mm.
Reference:
1. “Standard Female and Male Sternum“. Research Gate.
2. “Sexing the Human Sternum.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Sternum animation” By Anatomography – en:Anatomography (CC BY-SA 2.1 jp) via Commons Wikimedia
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