Xiphoid region
Regio xiphoidea
- Related terms: Xiphoid region (Cranial abdominal region)
Definition
The xiphoid region corresponds to the ventral and median area located at the caudal end of the sternum, at the level of the xiphoid process and its cartilage. It marks the transition between the ventral thoracic wall and the cranial abdominal wall.
Anatomically, this region includes the xiphoid process, its often palpable cartilage, the adjacent thoracic and abdominal fasciae, as well as the insertion of the rectus abdominis muscle and the ventral portions of the transverse and oblique abdominal muscles. It may also be associated with a small bursa or a fatty pad depending on the species.
The morphology of the xiphoid region varies among species: in dogs and cats, the xiphoid cartilage is elongated and relatively flexible; in ruminants and horses, the xiphoid process is broader and more rigid, contributing to the ventral contour of the thorax; in humans, the region corresponds to the xiphoid process, a structure often easily palpable but highly variable in size between individuals.
References
Dyce KM, Sack WO, Wensing CJG. Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy. 5th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2017.
König HE, Liebich HG, editors. Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals: Textbook and Colour Atlas. 6th ed. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2020.
Evans HE, de Lahunta A. Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog. 4th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2013.
