MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Bowed chest (pigeon breast)

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Bowed chest (pigeon breast)

A bowed chest is also called pectus carinatum. It is a protrusion of the chest over the sternum often described as bird-like. Pectus carinatum is usually only a cosmetic defect but can be associated with other genetic diseases.

Update Date: 9/29/2006

Updated by: Patrika M. Tsai, MD, MPH, Specialist in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Foster City, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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