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

Heart surgery is extremely traumatic, physically and emotionally, and requires at least three months of recovery, and many months more for your husband’s sternum to fully heal.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 22, 2026

If so, was it wedged against his sternum?

From BBC • May 27, 2025

Sutures, as in the skull, don’t move in adults, and cartilaginous joints, such as those that connect the ribs to the sternum, tend to have very limited mobility.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 25, 2024

But in sharp contrast, the sternum from the same mice displayed "profound reductions" in these cell types as well as loss of neutrophil production sites.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2024

Instantly, we crossed ourselves—thumbs inward, shoulder to shoulder, forehead to sternum.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz