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plural sternums or sterna
ˈstər-nə
: a compound ventral bone or cartilage of most vertebrates other than fishes that connects the ribs or the shoulder girdle or both and in humans consists of the manubrium, gladiolus, and xiphoid process
called also breastbone
Examples of sternum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For the shoulders, loosen the load lifters (the small straps that connect the top of the shoulder straps to the top of the pack), and the sternum strap that runs across your chest.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 14 Aug. 2024
The drug was administered after authorities tried other methods to rouse Irsay, including an unsuccessful sternum rub.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2024
That model includes information such as sternum height and arm length.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 18 July 2024
The Maya were equally fond of cutting out the still-beating hearts of victims, accessing the organ either from below the diaphragm or through the sternum.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for sternum
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sternum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Sternum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sternum. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
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Medical Definition
sternum
noun
ster·num
ˈstər-nəm
plural sternums or sterna
-nə
: a compound ventral bone or cartilage that lies in the median central part of the body of most vertebrates above fishes and that in humans is about seven inches (18 centimeters) long, consists in the adult of three parts, and connects with the clavicles and the cartilages of the upper seven pairs of ribs
called also breastbone
More from Merriam-Webster on sternum
Nglish: Translation of sternum for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sternum
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