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Sternum for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: 'stɜrnəm

What does Sternum really mean?

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Sternum:

The word "sternum" refers to a bone that is located in the middle of your chest. It's shaped like a long, flat, and narrow plate, kind of like a shield. You can think of it as a protective armor for your vital organs, such as your heart and lungs. It is also commonly known as the breastbone, which is easier to remember.

Now, let's break down the word "sternum" to understand it better. The root word "stern" comes from Latin and it means "chest," while the suffix "-um" indicates that it is a noun. So, putting these parts together, you get "sternum" which is the formal term for the breastbone or the chest bone.

Imagine your chest as a treasure chest, and the sternum is the sturdy lock that keeps everything safe inside. It acts as a support structure for your upper body, connecting your collarbones and ribs. This bone plays a crucial role in protecting your heart and lungs, keeping them secure and in the right position.

In addition to its role as a protector, the sternum also plays a vital role in the respiratory system. It serves as an attachment point for the muscles involved in breathing, such as the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles between your ribs. These muscles contract and relax, allowing you to inhale and exhale air.

Sometimes, you may hear doctors or medical professionals referring to a specific part of the sternum. It is divided into three sections: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid process. The manubrium is the top part, shaped like the knot of a necktie, and it connects to your collarbones. The body is the long central part, resembling a thin shield, and it connects to the ribs. Finally, the xiphoid process is the small, bony projection at the bottom.

So, by understanding the word "sternum," we now know that it is the bone in the middle of our chest, which protects our heart and lungs, acts as a support structure for our upper body, and plays a crucial role in the respiratory system.

Now, let's try a little activity to help reinforce this understanding. Take a deep breath and feel your chest rise and fall. Can you locate the central bone that's running down the middle of your chest? That's your sternum! It's amazing how our body is designed and how each part has a specific purpose to keep us healthy and functioning.

Revised and Fact checked by Mike Johnson on 2023-10-28 20:40:54

Sternum In a sentece

Learn how to use Sternum inside a sentece

  • The sternum is the flat bone in the middle of your chest that connects your ribs together.
  • When you touch the center of your chest, you can feel your sternum, which is like a hard plate protecting your heart and lungs.
  • During CPR, you may have to press down on the sternum to help someone whose heart has stopped.
  • The sternum is an important bone for breathing because it helps to support and protect the organs in your chest.
  • If you ever see an X-ray of your chest, you might notice your sternum as a long, straight bone in the middle.

Sternum Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Sternum Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Sternum Holonyms

The larger whole to which this word belongs.

Sternum Meronyms

Words that are part of the original word.