The heart is situated in the middle of the two lungs and in front of a vertebral column in a thoracic cavity. However it is located posterior(behind) to the breastbone plate i.e sternum.

heart

The sternum is ANTERIOR to the heart. Toward the dorsal side, toward the back or spine. The esophagus is POSTERIOR to the trachea. The heart is MEDIAL to the lungs.

The primary function of the sternum is the protection of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels from physical damage. The sternum is made of the manubrium, the gladiolus, and the xiphoid process.

Your sternum, along with your ribs, works to protect the organs of your torso, such as your heart, lungs, and chest blood vessels. Support. Your sternum also provides a connection point for other parts of your skeletal system, including your collarbone and most of your ribs.

While your sternum heals, there are several things you can do to speed up the process and reduce your pain, including:

• applying an ice pack to your chest.
• taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to reduce pain and inflammation.
• limiting your movement and avoiding any heavy lifting.

If you had open heart surgery and the surgeon divided your sternum, it will be about 80% healed after six to eight weeks. “By that time, you’ll generally be strong enough to get back to normal activities such as driving,” Dr. Tong says. “You can probably also return to work, unless your job is physically strenuous.”

Diet for costochondritis Stay away from gluten, processed foods, and refined sugars. They are known causes of inflammation.