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

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

Prosternal process: in aquatic Coleoptera a modification of the prosternum used in the differentiation of species.

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

The Naucoridae and Belostomatidae are flattened insects, with four-segmented feelers and fore-legs inserted at the front of the prosternum.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various

Proboscis free, not supported from below by either the prosternum or the basal segments of the appendages of the 2nd pair.

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

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