Time of fusion of the human mesosternum with manubrium & xiphoid process
Jit, I.; Bakshi, V.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 83: 322-331
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 3733193 Document Number: 274052
The time of fusion of the mesosternum with the manubrium and the xiphoid process was studied in sterna obtained from 772 male and 208 female subjects from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh (India) varying in age from 5 to 85 yr. Complete fusion of the manubrium with the mesosternum was seen at 21 yr or above in both sexes; though non-fusion could be seen even in a person above 60 yr of age. The xiphoid process did not fuse with the body of the sternum in males below 18 yr and in females below 21. Non-fusion of the xiphoid process was seen in 11.4 per cent of males above 66 yr and 37.5 per cent females above 40 yr. After the age of 18-20 yr the ossification of the sternum did not help in establishing the age of an individual. These observations were confirmed in an additional sample of 127 male and 38 female sterna.