sterna

2 definitions found

sterna - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Sternum \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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.) The ventral part of any one of the somites of an
        arthropod.
        [1913 Webster]

sterna - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Sterna
      n 1: a genus of Sterninae [syn: Sterna, genus Sterna]