episternal, a. Anat.
(ɛpɪˈstɜːnəl)
[f. epistern-um (or its elements) + -al1.]
1. Situate upon the sternum or breast-bone. Also, pertaining to the episternum; of the nature of an episternum. episternal granules: ‘the rudiments of the omosternal bones’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.).
| 1839–47 Todd Cycl. Anat. III. 838/1 This central piece [in Chelonia] is bounded anteriorly by the episternal bones. 1859 Ibid. V. 259/1 The..left carotid arteries [in man] leaving the chest through the episternal notch. 1872 Mivart Elem. Anat. 65 The ‘episternal granules’ occasionally present in man are replaced in some mammals by considerable horn-like processes. |
2. quasi-n.
| 1852 Dana Crust. i. 26 Beyond the episternals, the epimerals normally come next in order. |