What is para sternal?

The parasternal region is the area on the chest that is located next to or alongside the breast bone (sternum). The parasternal line is an imaginary line that runs from the first rib to the xiphoid process, which is a small bone at the bottom of the sternum.

The parasternal region contains several important structures such as the internal thoracic artery and vein, the phrenic nerve, and the intercostal muscles. The intercostal muscles are responsible for the expansion and contraction of the ribcage during breathing.

The parasternal region is sometimes used as a site for medical procedures such as central venous catheter insertion, thoracentesis (draining fluid from the chest cavity), and chest tube insertion. Pain or tenderness in the parasternal region can be caused by several conditions including costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum), myocardial infarction (heart attack), and pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the lungs).