pectoralis

[ pek-tuh-ral-is, -rey-lis, -rah- ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural pec·to·ral·es [pek-t, uh, -, ral, -eez, -, rey, -leez, -, rah, -].

1. either of two muscles on each side of the upper and anterior part of the thorax, the action of the larger pectoralis major assisting in drawing the shoulder forward and rotating the arm inward, and the action of the smaller pectoralis minor assisting in drawing the shoulder downward and forward.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pectoralis¹

< Latin pectorālis; pectoral

Example Sentences

The pectoral trunk bifurcates into two main pectoral arteries , which penetrate M. pectoralis thoracica.

From Project Gutenberg

The present bird is about the size of Chladorhynchus pectoralis, and in plumage is nearly the same.

From Project Gutenberg

The clavicular portion of the pectoralis major must then be divided right across its fibres, which will retract.

From Project Gutenberg

A great, fan-shaped muscle, called the pectoralis major, lies on the chest.

From Project Gutenberg

The two specimens from Miquihuana are typical P. pectoralis eremicoides in external and cranial measurements.

From Project Gutenberg