Sternalis -An Accessory Muscle of Thoracic Wall

Abstract

Sternalis muscle is an anatomical aberration among the muscle group of anterior chest wall. This accessory muscle was discovered bilaterally in a 40-year-old female cadaver. The muscle which emanated from the external oblique aponeurosis was fleshy throughout its extent except at the ends where it was aponeurotic. At the sternal angle, the muscle displayed inverted “V” shaped configuration and merged with the opposite pectoralis major muscle. It is clinically very important in female patients as compared to male patients because of mammary gland surgeries, lymph node irradiation, postoperatively can be confused with recurrence etc. The present case endeavors to discuss the anatomical, embryological and clinical relevance of a rare accessory muscle of the anterior chest wall.

Keywords

• aberrant
• aponeurotic
• pectoral