DENVER â This month, Kaiser Permanente Colorado launches a PPO (preferred provider organization) suite of products as part of its expanded product portfolio for large businesses. Denver/Boulder employers with more than 50 employees can now choose coverage from three suites of products, HMO, PPO and POS insurance plans.
Xiphoid Process Pain â Anatomy, Causes and Treatment. The xiphoid process, also called xiphosternum and metasternum, lies at the level of 10th thoracic vertebrae. It is also the lowest and the smallest part of the sternum, marks the lower limit of the thoracic cavity and the lower border of the heart. At birth, the xiphoid process is cartilaginous, but it slowly ossifies (turns to bone) from the central core after middle age (usually around 40 years of age).
Xiphoid process is also known as metasternum, xiphisternum and xiphoid cartilage. It is located exactly at the center of the chest below the nipple line in a downward projection at the lowest portion of the rib that connects the sternum.The xiphoid process has a sharp tip making it look like a sword.The primary function of which is in the attachment of a muscle that is significant for the breathing process which is called the diaphragm. Xiphoid process also serves as an attachment for rectus abdominus muscle and the transversus thoracis muscle.iphoid process is generally an unsupported structure and unprotected by the ribcage that it is potential for an easy break off. The break in the xiphoid process is particularly potential during the cardiopulmonary resuscitation that extra care is necessary when performing CPR.