Oluseun Olufade, MD, is an Orthopedic Surgeon and Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at the Emory School of Medicine. The sternum protects your heart and lungs by acting as a shield in your chest.

Your sternum is located in the middle of your chest and is also known as the breastbone. It protects the organs of your torso from injury and serves as a connection point for other bones and muscles.

Sternum pain can have many causes, including joint strains, muscle injury, and acid reflux. Chest pains can also be a symptom of a heart attack, and you should not ignore them. Your sternum, or ...