Sternal bone marrow puncture sites

Artist's drawing of the right anterior portion of the chest wall. The first three right intercostal spaces are marked in blue. The bone marrow aspirate needle should be inserted into the sternum either at the level of the 2nd or 3rd intercostal space. The needle is shown about to enter the sternum at the 3rd intercostal space, slightly to the right of center. However, most physicians prefer to enter the sternum in the midline (asterisks), placing fingers of the hand not holding the needle on either side of the sternum for guidance.