poststernal
|post-ster-nal|
🇺🇸
/poʊstˈstɝnəl/
🇬🇧
/pəʊstˈstɜːnəl/
behind the sternum
Etymology
'poststernal' originates from New Latin, formed from the prefix 'post-' (Latin 'post') meaning 'after' or 'behind', and 'sternal' from Latin 'sternum' meaning 'breastbone'.
'poststernal' is a modern medical formation combining Latin elements; the word 'sternum' entered English via Medieval/Modern Latin 'sternum', ultimately from Greek 'sternon'.
Initially it literally meant 'situated after/behind the sternum'; over time this literal anatomical meaning has remained the standard medical sense.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
located or occurring behind the sternum (breastbone); posterior to the sternum.
The patient reported a burning poststernal pain after swallowing.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/06 11:26