breastbone

Everyday

1. The long flat bone in the middle of the chest, joining the ribs at the front; its scientific name is the sternum. tree →
2. The same bone in a bird, where its flying muscles are fixed. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on the skeleton it is labelled as the sternum; it protects the heart and lungs together with the ribs. In first aid, chest compressions in CPR are done on the lower half of the breastbone. Phrases: the breastbone, behind the breastbone.

Examples

• Your ribs join your breastbone at the front. tree →
• The scientific name for the breastbone is the sternum. tree →
• In CPR you press down on the lower half of the breastbone. tree →
• A bird's breastbone has a big ridge for its flight muscles. tree →
• The heart sits just behind the breastbone, a little to the left. tree →
• Label the breastbone on the skeleton diagram. tree →

Note

Countable, one word. Scientific term: sternum. Only learn CPR from a trained first-aider; never practise it on a real person.