Definition
The carinated chest is a congenital deformity of the chest wall, characterized by the protrusion of the sternum and the flattening of the lateral ribs. This alteration of the chest, more or less evident at birth, tends to worsen with growth, especially during puberty.
The pathogenesis of the carined chest is still unknown; however, it is assumed that excessive growth of costal cartilages may be implicated, whether or not associated with sternum fusion defects. As with the funnel chest, a genetic predisposition is certain.
From the aesthetic point of view, the carinated chest manifests itself with the symmetrical protrusion of the body of the sternum (gladiolus) and of the costal cartilages associated with the lateral depression of the ribs. Furthermore, due to the unnatural sternal position, they may associate thoracic or epigastric musculoskeletal tenderness in the prone position, reduced resistance to exertion, cardiac arrhythmias, asthma, recurrent lung infections and, rarely, respiratory failure.
The chested chest is related to Marfan syndrome and other connective tissue diseases. Some children show signs of scoliosis and congenital heart defects.
Possible Causes * of Carinated Chest
- Imperfect osteogenesis
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Marfan syndrome
- Turner syndrome
