sternocostal hiatus

Last reviewed 01/2018

The sternocostal hiatus is the small aperture between the sternal, mainly xiphisternal, and costal, mainly 7th, fibres of the diaphragm. The superior epigastric vessels pass through this space.

It is a very rare site for a Morgagni's hernia. It occurs particularly on the right. On the left the attachment of pericardium to diaphragm prevents herniation by spanning the gap.