parassternaalinen

Parasternalinen is a Latin adjective meaning "beside the sternum." In medicine, it is used to describe the location of anatomical structures or pathological findings that are situated to the left or right of the sternum, which is the breastbone located in the center of the chest. For example, a parasternal heave is an abnormal physical finding on examination of the chest, characterized by a sustained outward thrust of the chest wall that can be felt to the left of the sternum. This can indicate an enlarged ventricle or other cardiac abnormality. Similarly, parasternal lymph nodes are small glands located in this region. The term is also used in imaging modalities such as echocardiography to pinpoint the location of cardiac structures or abnormalities relative to the sternum. Understanding parasternal location is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning in various medical fields, particularly cardiology and thoracic surgery.