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Describing the sternalis muscle: a new variant and an amended classification

  • Anatomic Variations
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Abstract

Purpose

With emphasis on the clinical setting, knowledge of anatomical variation decreases misdiagnoses and surgical complications. We report a previously undocumented variant of sternalis muscle and recommend an augmented classification scheme.

Methods

Dissection of the anterior thoracic wall on an 83-year-old female cadaver revealed bilateral sternalis muscles. The Snosek et al. classification system was referenced to describe the variant types.

Results

The right sternalis muscle has a single belly and can be classified using the Snosek et al. classification system as a simple type, right single. The left sternalis muscle presented with three muscle bellies, each having a unique pattern of superior attachments (heads). This variation is previously undocumented and requires a more detailed classification.

Conclusions

We propose the addition of a new subtype of sternalis classification, as well as a modification to the Snosek et al. (Clin Anat 27:866–884, 2014) classification scheme, to include classification of different muscle bellies when multiple are present.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Catherine Stanley, Medical Illustrator in the Division of Anatomical Sciences UMMS, for her sternalis muscle illustration. Studies would not be possible without the work of the Anatomical Donations Program at the University of Michigan, including Dean Mueller, Kenny Thompson, and Martha Luczak; the authors would additionally like to thank the anatomical donors for their selfless donation to further anatomical knowledge. Finally, authors would like to thank Celina Defigueiredo-Dusseau, Rachel Hurwitz, and Ellissa Thelen for their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Anatomical Sciences, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, 1137 Catherine St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Cristina R. Prall, B. Kathleen Alsup & Glenn M. Fox

  2. University of Michigan Medical School, 1137 Catherine St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Lyna Azzouz, Christopher Connolly, Marc Gutierrez, Natalie Moreno & Oluyemi Olumolade

Authors
  1. Cristina R. Prall
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  2. Lyna Azzouz
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  3. Christopher Connolly
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  4. Marc Gutierrez
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  5. Natalie Moreno
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  6. Oluyemi Olumolade
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  7. B. Kathleen Alsup
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  8. Glenn M. Fox
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Contributions

CRP: manuscript writing/editing, data collection and data analysis. LA: specimen preparation and manuscript editing. CC: specimen preparation and manuscript editing. MG: specimen preparation and manuscript editing. NM: specimen preparation and manuscript editing. OO: specimen preparation and manuscript editing. BKA: manuscript writing/editing, data collection and data analysis. GMF: manuscript writing/editing, data collection and data analysis.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Glenn M. Fox.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Prall, C.R., Azzouz, L., Connolly, C. et al. Describing the sternalis muscle: a new variant and an amended classification. Surg Radiol Anat 41, 243–245 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-018-2119-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-018-2119-9

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