Category:Sternum

Ster"num, n.; pl. L. Sterna, e. Sternums. Etym: [nl., from gr.

1. (anat.)

Defn: 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.

Note: 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.)

Defn: the ventral part of any one of the somites of an arthropod.