episternum
/ˌɛpɪˈstɜrnəm/
noun
- A bone or cartilage in the front part of the chest of some animals, especially reptiles and birds; in humans, the upper part of the sternum (breastbone).
- The doctor noted a small fracture in the patient's episternum after the accident.
- The biologist pointed to the episternum in the bird skeleton, explaining its role in flight muscle attachment.
- In reptiles, the episternum helps connect the shoulder bones to the rib cage.