‌‌The sternum – sometimes called the breastbone – is the flat bone in the center of your chest. Your ribs and collarbone connect to your sternum. A break in your sternum is also known as a sternal ...

To perform open heart surgery, a surgeon cuts through the sternum in a procedure known as a sternotomy. It is a major operation that involves a lengthy healing process that can take months or years.

Many conditions can cause pain in the sternum, including injuries, pneumonia, bronchitis, and costochondritis. Gastrointestinal problems, such as acid reflux, can cause pain behind the sternum. People ...