Sternocostal triangle explained

Sternocostal triangle
Latin:	trigonum sternocostale

The sternocostal triangle (foramina of Morgagni, Larrey's space, sternocostal hiatus, etc.^[1]) are small zones lying between the costal and sternal attachments of the thoracic diaphragm. No vascular elements are present within this space.^[2] The borders of this space are:

Medial: the lateral border of the sternal part of the diaphragm

Lateral: the medial border of the costal part of the diaphragm

Anterior: the musculoaponeurotic plane formed by a confluence of the transversus thoracis superiorly and the transversus abdominis inferiorly

The superficial epigastric artery passes in front of the aponeurotic plane that forms the anterior border and enters the abdomen anterior to the diaphragm.

Eponym

It is named for Giovanni Battista Morgagni.

Pathology

It can be a site of Morgagni's hernia.

Notes and References

1. Griffiths. E. A.. Ellis. A.. Mohamed. A.. Tam. E.. Ball. C. S.. Surgical treatment of a Morgagni hernia causing intermittent gastric outlet obstruction. BMJ Case Reports. 5 November 2010. 2010. nov04 1. bcr0120102608. 10.1136/bcr.01.2010.2608. 3029611. 22791842.
2. Baudoin . Y.-P. . Hoch . M. . Protin . X.-M. . Otton . B.-J. . Ginon . B. . Voiglio . E.-J. . 2003-08-01 . The superior epigastric artery does not pass through Larrey's space (trigonum sternocostale) . Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy . 25 . 3–4 . 259–262 . 10.1007/s00276-003-0134-x . 12898194 . 40842758 . 0930-1038.