10 most extreme places on Earth. The xiphoid process is a small triangular protrusion in the skeleton of most vertebrates that extends down from the sternum in the center of the ribcage. In babies and young children it is typically made of flexible cartilage, but typically calcifies into bone by early adulthood.
If you suffer from ongoing shortness of breath or frequent lung infections, there are many possible culprits â including cysts in your lungs that could lead to cystic lung diseases. Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.
1 Asbestosis, an inflammatory condition of lungs that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and eventually scarring of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe. 2  Mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, chest cavity, or abdomen. 3  Lung cancer. Asbestosis, an inflammatory condition of lungs that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and eventually scarring of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe. 2  Mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, chest cavity, or abdomen. 3  Lung cancer.