Parasternala

Parasternala is a term that appears in anatomical writings to denote structures located beside the sternum, from the Latin para- meaning beside and sternum. In many modern human anatomy texts, the more common descriptor is parasternal rather than parasternala itself, and the plural form is not widely standardized. As a result, parasternala tends to be used selectively to refer to a region or a set of elements near the chest wall adjacent to the sternum.

In practice, the term can refer to a variable assortment of tissues or landmarks in the parasternal area. Because there is no single universally adopted definition, what counts as part of the parasternala can differ depending on the author, species, or anatomical focus. The concept is most often encountered in comparative anatomy or in historical texts rather than as a fixed, standardized catalogue of structures.

Among the structures commonly associated with the parasternal region are lymphatic nodes, specifically the parasternal or internal thoracic lymph nodes that run near the sternum along the internal thoracic vessels. These nodes play a role in drainage from the anterior chest wall and breasts and can be relevant in discussions of thoracic or breast pathology.

The term parasternala is thus best understood as a contextual label used to describe regionally adjacent features near the sternum, with usage that varies by field and species. Related terms include parasternal, parasternal line, sternum, and thoracic lymphatic drainage.