Sternalis Muscle: An Unexpected Finding during Mastectomy.

Prakash K Sasmal,Prabhas R Tripathy,Satyajit Rath,N Deep,Tushar S Mishra,Susanta Meher

doi:10.1155/2015/723198

Prakash K Sasmal, Prabhas R Tripathy + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/723198

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Abstract

Sternalis muscle also called rectus sternalis, rectus thoracis, or episternalis is an anomalous muscle of the anterior chest wall with unknown anatomical function. It is regularly observed in lower animal but infrequently in humans. Presence of this muscle can create confusion with tumours of the anterior chest wall during routine mammography. Although less is known about its origin and innervations, knowledge about this muscle can have many clinical implications. A case of unilateral sternalis muscle detected during mastectomy, in a female with carcinoma of the right breast, is being reported with a brief review of the literature and highlighting its clinical significance.

Highlights

Sternalis muscle is an uncommon anatomical variant of anterior chest wall muscles [1]. It is a vertical strip of thin ribbonlike muscle located in the parasternal region, superficial to pectoralis major, with its fibre oriented parallel to the sternum and perpendicular to the fibres of the pectoralis major muscle
During mastectomy a thin ribbonlike muscle was found in the parasternal area with its fibres oriented craniocaudally, parallel to the sternum and perpendicular to the fibres of the right pectoralis major muscle (Figure 1(a))
According to Sadler [4] and Saeed et al [9], it is a part of the ventral longitudinal muscle column arising from the ventral lips of hypomere which is represented by rectus abdominis muscle in abdomen and strap muscles in the neck and in the thorax in which longitudinal muscle disappears but occasionally represented by rectus sternalis [6, 8]

Summary

Introduction

Sternalis muscle is an uncommon anatomical variant of anterior chest wall muscles [1]. It is a vertical strip of thin ribbonlike muscle located in the parasternal region, superficial to pectoralis major, with its fibre oriented parallel to the sternum and perpendicular to the fibres of the pectoralis major muscle. During mastectomy a thin ribbonlike muscle was found in the parasternal area with its fibres oriented craniocaudally, parallel to the sternum and perpendicular to the fibres of the right pectoralis major muscle (Figure 1(a)). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the anterior chest wall was done postoperatively after taking due consent from the patient, to look for any similar muscle on the opposite site (Figure 1(b)) it was found to be absent

Case Report

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