clavicle

Everyday

(science) The collarbone: the long, thin bone between the top of the breastbone and the shoulder; you have one on each side. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on the skeleton it is one of the named bones. In sport and safety, a broken collarbone is a common injury from falling off a bike or horse onto an outstretched arm. It tells the reader about the bone at the front of the shoulder.

Examples

• The clavicle is also called the collarbone. tree →
• She broke her clavicle when she fell off her bike. tree →
• You can feel your clavicle just below your neck. tree →
• We labelled the clavicle on our skeleton diagram. tree →
• Each person has two clavicles. tree →
• A broken clavicle usually heals in a sling. tree →

Note

Countable: a clavicle, clavicles. Say «KLAV-ik-ul». Everyday word: collarbone. In Latin «clavicula» means «little key», because of its shape.