sternum (redirected from sternums)

sternum /ster·num/ (ster´num) [L.] a longitudinal unpaired plate of bone forming the middle of the anterior wall of the thorax, articulating above with the clavicles and along its sides with the cartilages of the first seven ribs. Its three parts are the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.

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ster·num (stûrnm)

n. pl. ster·nums or ster·na (-n)

A long flat bone, articulating with the cartilages of the first seven ribs and with the clavicle, forming the middle part of the anterior wall of the thorax, and consisting of the corpus, manubrium, and xiphoid process. Also called breastbone.

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Sternum

Also referred to as the breast bone, this is the long flat bone in the middle of the chest.

Mentioned in: Chest X Ray

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sternum

[stur′nəm]

Etymology: Gk, sternon

the elongated flattened bone forming the middle part of the thorax. It supports the clavicles; articulates directly with the first seven pairs of ribs; and comprises the manubrium, the gladiolus (body), and the xiphoid process. It is composed of highly vascular tissue covered by a thin layer of bone.

Sternum

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sternum,

n the elongated, flattened bone forming the middle portion of the thorax. It supports the clavicles and articulates directly with the first seven pairs of ribs.

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sternum

the breastbone, a median segmented skeletal structure made up of several elements or sternebrae, often with a considerable portion remaining cartilaginous into adulthood. It articulates with the cartilages of the sternal ribs and clavicles when large. It has three parts, the manubrium, the body and the xiphoid process, and consists of vascular, spongy bone covered with a thin layer of compact bone. In ruminants it has a flat ventral surface, while in horses it bears a keel (carina). It is especially well developed, as a nonsegmented keeled bone, in flying birds.

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inherited short sternum

in the North Country Cheviot breed; characterized by a heavy mortality in newborn lambs resulting from rupture of the liver; the latter thought to occur because of the exposed position of the liver as a result of the absence of the sternum.