sternum

[ stur-nuhm ]

noun

, plural ster·na [stur, -n, uh], ster·nums.

1. Anatomy, Zoology. a bone or series of bones extending along the middle line of the ventral portion of the body of most vertebrates, consisting in humans of a flat, narrow bone connected with the clavicles and the true ribs; breastbone.
2. the ventral surface of a body segment of an arthropod.

sternum

/ ˈstɜːnəm /

noun

1. (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 namebreastbone
2. the corresponding part in many other vertebrates
3. a cuticular plate covering the ventral surface of a body segment of an arthropod Compare tergum

sternum

/ stûr′nəm /

1. A long, flat bone located in the center of the chest, serving as a support for the collarbone and ribs.
2. Also called breastbone
3. See more at skeleton

Derived Forms

• ˈsternal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sternum¹

1660–70; < New Latin < Greek stérnon chest, breastbone

Word History and Origins

Origin of sternum¹

C17: via New Latin from Greek sternon breastbone

Example Sentences

I slipped in and started to swim as best I could with a sternum that had been hacked apart a month before.

From Outside Online

It’s lightweight and features chest and sternum straps that make it very possible to fish with it on your back all day even if you’re actively chasing fish.

From Outside Online

I fractured my sternum, broke some ribs, collapsed my right lung, and broke my left thumb.

From Outside Online

Diana Taurasi cannot come back from her sternum injury soon enough for Sandy Brondello’s team.

From FiveThirtyEight

I dug my knees into the dirt, overlapped my hands, and placed the heel of my right hand on the monk’s sternum.

From Outside Online

He lifted his t-shirt and showed us a long scar, running from sternum to waistband.

From The Daily Beast

The point of the weapon was concealed by the sternum that it had penetrated with such surprising force.

From The Daily Beast

Then you get a gander at the full monty, as it were, and he looks like someone inflated him from the sternum down.

From The Daily Beast

He considers it the usual crazy talk until one night when his sternum is nearly crushed by a snarling, otherworldly apparition.

From The Daily Beast

The indifferent pole is applied over the sternum or other convenient point.

From Project Gutenberg

This pouch, placed above the sternum, extends beneath the arm-holes, and communicates with the larynx.

From Project Gutenberg

A blister was then applied to the sternum, and six grains of calomel given in the evening.

From Project Gutenberg

On the 15th of November a blister was laid over the sternum, and ʒiss of oxymel scillitic.

From Project Gutenberg

But when we come to the determination of the sternum in fishes, difficulties abound, which Geoffroy solves in the following way.

From Project Gutenberg