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).
Diaphragm and Phrenic Nerve. ++. The diaphragm is a large dome shaped muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities. The lower edge of the diaphragm is attached to the inner surface of ribs 6 through 12, the xiphoid process of the sternum and the upper 2 or 3 lumbar vertebrae (L1, L2, L3) .he phrenic nerves arise from the 3rd through 5th spinal nerves. Spinal cord injury above the level of the third vertebrae can cause disruption of nerve impulses that travel from the brain to the phrenic nerves. This can cause paralysis of the diaphragm and the need for the injured person to be on a respirator.