Sternalis muscle

Sternalis
Sternalis muscle, in line with Rectus Abdominis and Sternomastoid, was found in 6% of 535 cadavera (R. N. Barlow)
Details
Origin	manubrium of sternum or clavicle
Insertion	xiphoid process, pectoral fascia, lower ribs, costal cartilages or rectus sheath
Identifiers
Latin	Musculus sternalis
Dorlands /Elsevier	m_22/12550937
TA	A04.4.01.001
FMA	9717
Anatomical terms of muscle []

The sternalis muscle is an anatomical variation that lies in front of the sternal end of the pectoralis major parallel to the margin of the sternum. The sternalis muscle may be a variation of the pectoralis major or of the rectus abdominis.

The sternalis is a muscle that runs along the anterior aspect of the body of the sternum. It lies superficially and parallel to the sternum. Its origin and insertion are variable. The sternalis muscle often originates from the upper part of the sternum and can display varying insertions such as the pectoral fascia, lower ribs, costal cartilages, rectus sheath, aponeurosis of the abdominal external oblique muscle. There is still a great deal of disagreement about its innervation and its embryonic origin.

In a review, it was reported that the muscle was innervated by the external or internal thoracic nerves in 55% of the cases, by the intercostal nerves in 43% of the cases, while the remaining cases were supplied by both nerves. However, innervation by the pectoral nerves has also been reported. This appears to indicate that the sternalis is not always derived from the same embryonic origin.

Cadaveric studies showed that the sternalis muscle has a mean prevalence of around 7.8% in the population with the range from 0.5% to 23.5%. It has a slightly higher incidence in females. Though, It was proposed that a possible reason for the high prevalence may result from the existence of small, ill-defined or tendinous fibres, which could be misidentified for a sternalis muscle.

A recent study classified the sternalis into three types depending on morphology.

Type I, the single head and single belly was seen in the majority of reported cases (58.5%), type II in 18.1%, and type III in 23.4%.

The function of the sternalis muscle has remained unknown. There are many theories for the physiological function of the sternalis. It may function as a proprioceptive sensor for the thoracic wall movements. It may also take part in the movement of shoulder joint or have an additional role in elevation of the chest wall.