shoulder girdle

noun

1. pectoral girdle ( def 2 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of shoulder girdle¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Fossils were meticulously prepared to remove the surrounding matrix of rock and expose the skull, shoulder girdle and pectoral fins.

From Science Daily

The shoulder girdle -- the configuration of bones and muscles that in humans support the movement of the arms -- is a classic example of an evolutionary 'novelty'.

From Science Daily

Still, he cautions, knocking out this gene in another bird probably isn’t enough to produce such flight—this adaptation likely required several steps, including the changes in the shoulder girdle.

From Scientific American

This feature – in addition to our loose shoulder girdle – makes humans the best throwers in the animal kingdom.

From Salon

The scientists uncovered vertebrae, ribs and part of what would have been the dinosaur's chest and shoulder girdle.

From BBC