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Glite Dictionary
🦴 Middle breastbone 🌸 A garden flower
gladiolus

gladiolus

1 9.9
The wide middle part of the breastbone at the front of the chest
  • noun
  • /ˈɡlædɪələs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cuerpo del esternón
  • The sternum is divided into the manubrium, the gladiolus, and the xiphoid process.

Examples

  • The gladiolus is an important part of the human anatomy.

  • The surgeon made an incision just below the gladiolus to access the heart.

  • A fracture of the gladiolus is rare but may occur with severe chest trauma.

  • Did you know the gladiolus connects the ribs?

  • The doctor explained that a fracture to the gladiolus could affect the patient's breathing.

  • During the autopsy, the pathologist noted damage to the gladiolus region of the chest.

  • In cardiopulmonary resuscitation, compressions may need to be placed on the gladiolus to revive the patient.

Synonyms

corpus sternum
vsgladiolus
  • Specialized
8.9

The middle flat part of the chest bone between its top and lower tip

has identical meaning but is an alternative technical term

Surface Forms

gladiolus singular
gladioli plural

Etymology

Gladiolus in anatomy comes from the Latin word gladius, meaning 'sword', and so it means 'little sword'. The central part of the breastbone is long and flat like a blade, so calling it gladiolus makes it easy to remember that this bone looks like a small sword.