sternocleidomastoid

noun

ster·​no·​clei·​do·​mas·​toid ˌstər-nə-ˌklī-də-ˈma-ˌstȯid 

variants or sternocleidomastoid muscle

: a thick superficial muscle on each side of the neck that arises by one head from the first segment of the sternum and by a second from the inner part of the clavicle, that inserts into the mastoid process and occipital bone, and that acts especially to bend, rotate, flex, and extend the head

called also sternomastoid

Word History

Etymology

New Latin sternocleidomastoides, from stern- + cleid- + mastoides mastoid

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sternocleidomastoid

1 of 2 noun

ster·​no·​clei·​do·​mas·​toid ˌstər-nō-ˌklīd-ə-ˈmas-ˌtȯid 

: a thick superficial muscle on each side that arises by one head from the first segment of the sternum and by a second from the inner part of the clavicle, that inserts into the mastoid process and occipital bone, and that acts especially to bend, rotate, flex, and extend the head

sternocleidomastoid

2 of 2 adjective

: of, relating to, supplying, or being a sternocleidomastoid

the sternocleidomastoid artery