prosternum

American  

[proh-stur-nuhm] / proʊˈstɜr nəm /

noun

plural

prosterna, prosternums

1. the ventral sclerite of the prothorax of an insect.

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prosternum British  

/ prəʊˈstɜːnəm /

noun

1. the sternum of the prothorax of an insect

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Other Word Forms

• prosternal adjective

Etymology

Origin of prosternum

From New Latin, dating back to 1820–30; see origin at pro- ¹, sternum

Example Sentences

Rostrum free, not supported by either the prosternum or the basal segments of the appendages.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 3 "Apollodorus" to "Aral" by Various

Sternal elements of prosoma almost entirely absent, traces of a prosternum and metasternum alone remaining.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 3 "Apollodorus" to "Aral" by Various

Sternal area broad, with prosternal, two mesosternal, and metasternal plates, the prosternum projecting forwards beneath the coxae of the 2nd pair of appendages.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 3 "Apollodorus" to "Aral" by Various

Prosternal lobe: in some Coleoptera, an anterior prolongation of the prosternum which more or less conceals the mouth from below.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.

The prosternum is very large, subtriangular, concealing the insertion of the cox�, and extending over the front part of the mesosternum, as does this over the front of the metasternum.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 648, June 2, 1888. by Various