Overview
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.
Review Date 7/1/2025
Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.