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

By means of the oar-like hind-legs they swim actively through the water with the ventral surface upwards; the fore-legs are inserted at the hinder edge of the prosternum.

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

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

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

Ante-furca: an internal forked process from the prosternum, to which muscles are attached.

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