sternum
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ster·num
(stûr′nəm)n. pl. ster·nums or ster·na (-nə)
1. A long flat bone in most vertebrates that is situated along the ventral midline of the thorax and articulates with the ribs. The manubrium of the sternum articulates with the clavicles in humans and certain other vertebrates. Also called breastbone.
2. The ventral portion of a body segment of an arthropod.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
sternum
(ˈstɜːnəm)n, pl -na (-nə) or -nums
1. (Anatomy) (in man) a long flat vertical bone, situated in front of the thorax, to which are attached the collarbone and the first seven pairs of ribs. Nontechnical name: breastbone
2. (Zoology) the corresponding part in many other vertebrates
3. (Zoology) a cuticular plate covering the ventral surface of a body segment of an arthropod. Compare tergum
[C17: via New Latin from Greek sternon breastbone]
ˈsternal adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ster•num
(ˈstɜr nəm)n., pl. -na (-nə), -nums.
1. the bony plate or series of bones to which the ribs are attached anteriorly or ventrally in most vertebrates; breastbone.
2. the ventral surface of a body segment of an arthropod.
[1660–70; < New Latin < Greek stérnon chest, breastbone]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ster·num
(stûr′nəm) A long, flat bone located in the center of the chest, serving as a support for the collarbone and ribs. Also called breastbone. See more at skeleton.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
sternum
the breastbone
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. |  sternum - the flat bone that articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribscorpus sternum, gladiolus - the large central part of the breastbone manubrium - the upper part of the breastbone xiphoid process - smallest of the three parts of the breastbone; articulates with the corpus sternum and the seventh rib chest, pectus, thorax - the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates axial skeleton - the part of the skeleton that includes the skull and spinal column and sternum and ribs |
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Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
sternum
n → Brustbein nt, → Sternum nt (spec)
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
sternum
n (pl -na) esternón mEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.