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; pro- ¹, sternum

Example Sentences

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

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.

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 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