Ster"num (?), n.; pl. L.
Sterna (#), E. Sternums (#). [NL.,
from Gr. &?;, the breast, chest.] 1. (Anat.)
A plate of cartilage, or a series of bony or cartilaginous plates
or segments, in the median line of the pectoral skeleton of most
vertebrates above fishes; the breastbone.
&fist; The sternum is connected with the ribs or the pectorial
girdle, or with both. In man it is a flat bone, broad anteriorly,
narrowed behind, and connected with the clavicles and the cartilages
of the seven anterior pairs of ribs. In most birds it has a high
median keel for the attachment of the muscles of the wings.
2. (Zoöl.) The ventral part of any
one of the somites of an arthropod.
Ster"num (?), n.; pl. L.
Sterna (#), E. Sternums (#). [NL.,
from Gr. &?;, the breast, chest.] 1. (Anat.)
A plate of cartilage, or a series of bony or cartilaginous plates
or segments, in the median line of the pectoral skeleton of most
vertebrates above fishes; the breastbone.
&fist; The sternum is connected with the ribs or the pectorial
girdle, or with both. In man it is a flat bone, broad anteriorly,
narrowed behind, and connected with the clavicles and the cartilages
of the seven anterior pairs of ribs. In most birds it has a high
median keel for the attachment of the muscles of the wings.
2. (Zoöl.) The ventral part of any
one of the somites of an arthropod.
