sternum

noun

ster·​num ˈstər-nəm 

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

The incident resulted in Force sustaining a traumatic brain injury, a fractured sternum, and a right wrist injury. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024

During open heart surgery, a surgeon makes a 6- to 8-inch cut (incision) down the middle of the chest wall, followed by cutting the breastbone (sternum) and opening the rib cage to expose the heart. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2024

John McGinty sustained a fractured sternum and severe fractures to his left arm and wrist, leading to a bone graft. —David K. Li, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024

The cardiothoracic surgeon will make a large incision down the center of your chest, cut open the sternum (breastbone), and spread the rib cage to visualize and operate on the heart. —Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek sternon chest, breastbone; akin to Old High German stirna forehead, Latin sternere to spread out — more at strew

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sternum

noun

ster·​num ˈstər-nəm 

plural sternums or sterna -nə 

: a flat narrow piece of bone or cartilage in the chest that connects the ribs in most vertebrates other than fishes

called also breastbone

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