superior sternal cleft
Last reviewed 01/2018
The superior sternal cleft is a broad defect in the sternum which appears as a U or a V, commonly extending to the fourth costal cartilages. The heart may appear to be in the cervical region but lies within the mediastinum as normal.
The fissure may be corrected surgically by joining the two sternal bands in the midline following oblique chondrotomies.