asternal
|a-ster-nal|
🇺🇸
/eɪˈstɝnəl/
🇬🇧
/eɪˈstɜːnəl/
without a sternum
Etymology
'asternal' originates from a Modern English/Modern Latin formation: prefix 'a-' (from Greek/Latin, meaning 'not' or 'without') + 'sternal' (from Latin 'sternum'), where Latin 'sternum' ultimately comes from Greek 'sternon' meaning 'chest'.
'sternum' comes from Latin 'sternum', from Greek 'sternon' meaning 'chest'. The adjective 'sternal' developed from Latin 'sternum' + English adjectival suffix '-al', and the negative/privative prefix 'a-' was added in scientific/medical contexts to form 'asternal' in Modern English/Modern Latin usage.
Initially formed to mean 'not pertaining to the sternum' or 'lacking a sternum'; this technical anatomical sense has been retained in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not sternal; not relating to or lacking a sternum (breastbone). Often used in anatomy/zoology to describe ribs or structures that do not attach to the sternum.
Some reptiles have asternal ribs that do not attach to a true sternum.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/06 00:50