The fourth column of the spine: Prevalence of sternal fractures and concurrent thoracic spinal fractures

•The thoracic spine and sternum are both part of the anatomical unit known as the “upper thoracic cage”, and fractures of these two units can present together•Level of thoracic spinal fracture (upper or lower) is related to presence of sternal fracture, P = 0.01•Presence of rib fracture, P < 0.001, scapula fracture, P = 0.01, clavicle fracture, P = 0.01, or any combination of rib, scapula, and clavicle fracture, P = 0.01 are related to presence of sternal fracture•Presence of sternal fracture is related to respiratory complication during hospital course, P < 0.001