1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Basaveshwara Medical College, Chitradurga-577501, Karnataka, India
2Assistant Professor, Dept. of Anatomy, J.N. Medical College, Belgaum-590010, Karnataka, India
3Professor and Head, Dept. of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, J.N. Medical College, Belgaum-590010, Karnataka, India
4Professor and Head, Dept. of Anatomy, J.N. Medical College, Belgaum-590010, Karnataka, India
5PGDHCM Specialist, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, District Hospital, Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, India
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Ajay Kumar S Assistant Professor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Basaveshwara Medical College, Chitradurga-577501, Karnataka, INDIA Mobile: 9743081788 E mail: ajayhospet@gmail.com
Online published on 5 October, 2016.
Sternal foramen is a round or ovoid congenital bony defect present occasionally in the body of sternum that results from incomplete fusion of the sternal ossification centres. At times, it may be confused with any perforating injury. Sudden death may occur in the setting of sternal acupuncture due to the risk of pericardial puncture and cardiac tamponade. The present study was carried using randomly collected 83dry sternal bones which were used as a teaching material in the Department of Forensic medicine and Anatomy, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka. These sternal bones were examined for the presence of sternal foramen and it was found in 3.61% of cases. A sound knowledge of sternal foramenis very important for medical practitioners, radiologists and acupuncturists before doing any procedures to prevent complications.
