MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Sternum - view of the outside (anterior)

Medical Encyclopedia

Sternum - view of the outside (anterior)

During a sternal tap, a thin needle is inserted into the sternum (shown here) to withdraw bone marrow.

Update Date: 7/11/2008

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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