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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.

See Entoplastron. -- En`to*ster"nal, a.

A median bone connected with the sternum, in many vertebrates; the interclavicle.

See Hyoplastron.

See Hypoplastron.

The middle portion, or body, of the sternum.

The most posterior element of the sternum; the ensiform process; xiphisternum.

The anterior element of the sternum which projects forward from between the clavicles in many batrachians and is usually tipped with cartilage.

Same as Preoral, Prepubis, Prescapula, etc.

The anterior segment of the sternum; the manubrium. -- Pre*ster"nal, a.

The ventral plate of the prothorax of an insect.

The posterior segment, or extremity, of the sternum; -- sometimes called metasternum, ensiform cartilage, ensiform process, or xiphoid process.

Not sternal; -- said of ribs which do not join the sternum.

The bone of the breast; the sternum.

keel or prow of a ship; having a carina or keel; as, a carinate calyx or leaf; a carinate sternum (of a bird).

ncluding the tortoises and turtles, perculiar in having a part of the vertebræ, ribs, and sternum united with the dermal plates so as to form a firm shell. The jaws are covered by a horny beak. See Reptilia; also, Illust. in Appendix.

ne, which is joined at one end to the scapula, or shoulder blade, and at the other to the sternum, or breastbone. In man each clavicle is shaped like the letter

-shaped; as, an ensiform leaf. Ensiform cartilage, and Ensiform process. (Anat.) See Xiphisternum.

The median plate of the plastron of turtles; -- called also entosternum.

In insects: The lateral piece behind the episternum. [Written also epimerum.]