Suprasternal notch

The suprasternal notch, also known as the fossa jugularis sternalis, jugular notch, or Plender gap, is a large, visible dip in between the neck in humans, between the clavicles, and above the manubrium of the sternum.

Suprasternal notch
Suprasternal notch (indicated by yellow circle)
The position of the suprasternal notch seen here, labelled as "jugular notch"
Details
Location	Bottom of the neck; above the manubrium of the sternum, and between the two clavicles
Identifiers
Latin	incisura jugularis sternalis, fossa jugularis sterni
TA98	A02.3.03.004
TA2	1132
FMA	7542
Anatomical terms of bone [edit on Wikidata]

Screenwriter Samson Raphaelson invented the term "ucipital mapilary" to describe the suprasternal notch for Suspicion (1941), directed by Alfred Hitchcock.^[1]

Structure

The suprasternal notch is a visible dip in between the neck, between the clavicles, and above the manubrium of the sternum. It is at the level of the T2 and T3 vertebrae.^[2] The trachea lies just behind it, rising about 5 cm above it in adults.^[3]

Clinical significance

Intrathoracic pressure is measured by using a transducer held in such a way over the body that an actuator engages the soft tissue that is located above the suprasternal notch. Arcot J. Chandrasekhar, MD of Loyola University, Chicago, is the author of an evaluative test for the aorta using the suprasternal notch.^[4] The test can help recognize the following conditions:

• Aneurysm
• Dissecting aneurysm
• Atherosclerosis
• Hypertension

To carry out this test, it is necessary to place an index finger or middle finger on the notch and palpate it. A prominent pulse may be indicative of an uncoiled aorta, an arch aneurysm, or a tortuous blood vessel.