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pectus

pectus

1 9.9
The part of the body between the neck and the stomach that holds the heart and lungs
  • noun
  • /ˈpɛktəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pectus
  • The doctor explained that pectus carinatum results in a protruding chest wall.

Examples

  • I have "pectus excavatum," which is a defect of the sternum and means that I have a very noticeable dent in my chest, right under my breasts.

    Blog text (21)
  • She has a condition known as pectus excavatum, which causes her chest to appear sunken.

  • I was born with an indented chest, otherwise known as Pectus Excavatum.

    Blog text (14)
  • Proper evaluation of the pectus is essential for understanding respiratory function.

Synonyms

chest
vspectus
1.0

The front part of the body between the neck and stomach that holds the heart and lungs

is the formal anatomical word used in study rather than everyday description
thorax
vspectus
  • Specialized
5 7.7

The body area between the neck and the belly that forms the chest

is the anatomical term used in anatomy and zoology rather than everyday speech

Surface Forms

pectus singular
pectora plural

Etymology

The word pectus is the original Latin word for 'chest' or 'breast' and gave us English words like pectoral, which name the chest muscles. So when medical texts use pectus today, they are still referring to the chest area.