Bifid sternum

What it means

The sternal cleft is a rare congenital anomaly resulting from a fusion failure of the sternum.

Various degrees of bifid sternum may occur, varying from an enlarged suprasternal notch to complete separation of the two halves of the sternum. Ectopia cordis may or may not accompany this defect in its more severe form.

Rare diseases that can present with this2

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Sternal cleft