sternum

American  

[stur-nuhm] / ˈstɜr nəm /

noun

plural

sterna, sternums

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.

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sternum British  

/ ˈstɜːnəm /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: breastbone.  (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

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

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sternum Scientific  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• sternal adjective

Etymology

Origin of sternum

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

Example Sentences

A member of a Homeland Security task force was hospitalized with a “possible sternum fracture” after being hit by a car in November in National City, just outside of San Diego, according to DHS.

From Los Angeles Times

“I fell on a fumble, it wasn’t mine, I recovered it, and a guy fell on top of me and almost split my sternum.”

From Los Angeles Times

If so, was it wedged against his sternum?

From BBC

"I play rugby, so having scars on my legs from studs and knocks here and there, having one on my sternum doesn't faze me."

From BBC

That doesn’t sit right with Terra Vance, whose father — “a real Vance,” she says — worked in the coal mines for 40 years; where he once snapped his sternum when a mountain collapsed on him.

From Los Angeles Times