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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
Those were the paralyzing squeezes beneath my sternum, all part of having the anesthetic fiddle with one of the nerves on my diaphragm.
—Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 18 May 2024
At the event, Brittany wore a figure-hugging pastel yellow dress with cutouts at her sternum.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 12 May 2024
The bars were placed underneath the sternum to elevate it, Cusick explains.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
Extra features like load lifters and sternum straps can enhance the fit but be cautious about over-tightening these to avoid transferring too much weight onto the upper body.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 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 10 Jun. 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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