What is the procedure referred to as sternotomy?

Sternotomy is a surgical procedure that involves making an incision in the sternum, which is the flat bone located in the center of the chest. This technique is commonly used in various cardiothoracic surgeries, such as heart bypass surgery or valve replacement, allowing surgeons access to the thoracic cavity and the heart. The incision typically runs vertically along the sternum and may extend from just below the clavicles to the xiphoid process at the bottom of the sternum.

This choice accurately describes the nature of the procedure, emphasizing that it is an incision rather than a removal or a more complex modification of the bone itself. The other options incorrectly describe the procedure in terms of removal or different anatomical locations, focusing on the ribs or suggesting creation of an opening without emphasizing the incision aspect.