pre-pectoral
|pre-pec-tor-al|
🇺🇸
/priːˈpɛktərəl/
🇬🇧
/priːˈpɛkt(ə)rəl/
before the chest / in front of pectoral muscles
Etymology
'pre-pectoral' originates from Latin components: the prefix 'prae' (as 'pre-') meaning 'before' and 'pectoralis' (from 'pectus') meaning 'chest'.
'pre-pectoral' arose as a modern English medical compound from New/Medical Latin formations like 'prae-pectoralis' and developed into the English hyphenated compound 'pre-pectoral'.
Initially composed to mean 'before the chest', it has come to be used specifically in medical contexts to mean 'situated in front of the pectoral muscles or anterior chest wall.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
situated in front of or on the anterior aspect of the pectoral region (i.e., anterior to the pectoral muscles or chest wall).
The surgeon placed a pre-pectoral implant above the pectoral muscle to reduce pain and animation deformity.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/04 19:07