sternum
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An anterior view of the human sternum (in red).
English
Etymology
Borrowed from New Latin sternum, related to Old English steorn (“forehead”), German Stirn (“forehead”).
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈstɜː.nəm/
Audio (Southern England) (file) - (General American) IPA(key): /ˈstɝ.nəm/
- Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)nəm
Noun
sternum (plural sterna or sternums)
- (anatomy) The breastbone, consisting of the manubrium, gladiolus, and xiphoid process.
- 2020, Akwaeke Emezi, The Death of Vivek Oji, Faber & Faber, page 231:
- The neckline fell into a V, showing the bone of his sternum.
- (arachnology) The sclerotized ventral plate of spiders, between the coxae, marking the floor of the cephalothorax.
Derived terms
Translations
breastbone — see breastbone
See also
References
- “sternum”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
- “sternum”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
- “sternum”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
Anagrams
Czech
Pronunciation
Noun
sternum n
- sternum, breastbone
- Synonym: hrudní kost
Declension
Related terms
Further reading
- sternum in Příruční slovník jazyka českého, 1935–1957
- sternum in Slovník spisovného jazyka českého, 1960–1971, 1989
French
Pronunciation
Noun
sternum m (plural sternums)
Further reading
- “sternum”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé , 2012.
Latin
Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek στέρνον (stérnon, “breast, chest; breastbone”).
Pronunciation
- (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): /ˈster.num/,
Noun
sternum n (genitive sternī); second declension (New Latin)
- (anatomy) The breastbone.
Inflection
Second-declension noun (neuter).
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | sternum | sterna |
| Genitive | sternī | sternōrum |
| Dative | sternō | sternīs |
| Accusative | sternum | sterna |
| Ablative | sternō | sternīs |
| Vocative | sternum | sterna |