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Glite Dictionary
substernal

substernal

1 8.7
Below or behind the breastbone in the chest
  • adjective
  • /ˌsʌbˈstɜrnəl/
  • Specialized
: subesternal
  • Several other techniques are used to resect a substernal goiter via a cervical approach.

Women don't have that classic middle of the chest substernal chest pain.

Examples

  • Two of the above patients had substernal thyroid extension requiring superior mediastinal dissection.

    Academic text (1996)

  • During the examination, the nurse noted the presence of substernal tenderness in the patient.

  • Women don't have that classic middle of the chest substernal chest pain.

    KenDBerryMD

  • The classic presenting signs include pain in the neck or substernal area, subcutaneous or mediastinal emphysema, and fever.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Patients often report experiencing substernal discomfort that can feel like pressure in the chest.

  • The doctor explained that substernal pain might indicate a serious heart condition.

Synonyms

retrosternal
vssubsternal
  • Specialized
8.8

Behind the breastbone in the middle of the chest

includes positions both behind and below the breastbone

Antonyms

suprasternal
  • Specialized
1 9.8

The area above the top of the breastbone near the notch

Surface Forms

substernal positive

Morphology

substernal = sternal (semi-transparent) = sub + sternum + al

The adjective is formed by adding the productive prefix 'sub-' (meaning 'below') to 'sternal', yielding the straightforward meaning 'below or beneath the sternum'.

Etymology

Substernal breaks into the prefix sub- meaning 'under' and sternal, from sternum meaning 'breastbone', so it literally means 'under the breastbone'. That is why substernal is used for pain or a growth felt below or behind the chest bone.