© 2013 T. Westermann

Breast bone

[Sternum]

Anatomy:

• The breastbone [sternum] is a flat, sword-shaped bone at the front center of the chest where the ribs and their cartilaginous fix extensions. It is divided into three sections. At the end is a notch near the head, the jugular fossa, readily palpable and marks the lower end of the neck, the jugular notch. On either side of this notch are joint surfaces, serve to connect with the clavicles in the sternoclavicular joint.

Attack:

• Knuckle strike (Kobushi ate), Fist strike (Ken ate) or Handball shock (Shotei uchi)
  Knee shock (Hiza gashira ate)

Consequence:

• Pain, cough; fracture; fainting; shock effect on the heart

Comment:

• Good accessibility, most protected by clothing