Sternal Foramina Detected by Postmortem Computed Tomography in the Japanese Population: Prevalence and Developmental Patterns

Sternal foramina occurred in 3.7% of adults and were often situated over vital structures, posing procedural risks. Among pediatrics, ossification patterns that may impede fusion-defined as horizontal two-center or ≥ 3 center configurations-were present in 12%, and approximately 31% of these patterns appear to persist into adulthood as sternal foramina. These findings support a developmental basis for sternal foramina and emphasize the importance of recognizing them during imaging and procedural planning.