Harrison sulcus

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 6 Jan 2020

The Harrison sulcus or Harrison groove refers to a groove at the lower end of the rib cage seen in young children/infants with abnormally weak bones (e.g. rickets) or chronic respiratory disease (e.g. severe asthma). The lower chest is drawn in with flaring of the rib margin. The exact cause is controversial although the most common explanation is that it is the result of indrawing of the ribs by the diaphragm. This is perhaps untrue as the groove is above the level of the rib margin. 

History and etymology

Edward Harrison (1766-1838) was a British physician 4.

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