Bony landmark · Chest

Xiphoid process

Processus xiphoideus

The xiphoid process is the small pointed tip at the bottom of the breastbone; it stays cartilage well into adult life before it hardens. It is a meeting point of the front of the body: the upper fibres of the rectus abdominis attach to it, the linea alba runs down from it, and part of the diaphragm arises from its back surface — so the breathing muscle and the abdominal wall hand over to each other right here.