| Pectus excavatum | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Funnel chest, dented chest, sunken chest, concave chest, chest hole |
 | |
| An example of an extremely severe case of pectus excavatum | |
| Specialty | Orthopedics |
Pectus excavatum is a structural deformity of the anterior thoracic wall in which the sternum and rib cage are shaped abnormally. This produces a caved-in or sunken appearance of the chest. It can either be present at birth or develop after puberty.
Pectus excavatum can impair cardiac and respiratory function and cause pain in the chest and back.
People with the condition may experience severe negative psychosocial effects and avoid activities that expose the chest.[1]