Jugular Notch (Sternal Notch) – Meaning and Usage in Medical English

The jugular notch, also called the sternal or suprasternal notch, is the dip at the top of the breastbone between the two collarbones.

👁 What Does “Jugular Notch” Mean?

The jugular notch refers to the visible and palpable dip at the top of the sternum, located between your left and right clavicles.

The term comes from Latin, relating to the throat region, which makes sense given its location at the base of the neck.

In medical settings, it is commonly used in anatomy, physical examinations, airway assessment, and trauma evaluation.

This is a simple but essential landmark — especially for clinicians working with chest, neck, or airway conditions.

The term jugular notch appears in physical exam notes, nursing assessments, trauma checklists, and airway management descriptions.

Healthcare professionals often use it when describing anatomical positioning, examining neck swelling, or locating structures for procedures.

Here are some common ways you’ll see or hear it used:

“Palpate the jugular notch” — used during airway or upper-chest assessment
“Swelling noted at the jugular notch” — documentation of visible or tender swelling
“Measure from the jugular notch to the sternal angle” — used in anatomical teaching
“Pain over the jugular notch” — a patient or clinician’s description of localized discomfort

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Example sentence (clinical):

“Tenderness was noted over the jugular notch during the chest exam.”
→ The patient felt pain when this area was pressed.

👉 Watch our 20-second clip:

Jugular Notch – Learn how to pronounce it and remember how it’s used in real medical English.