sternocleidomastoideus

US/ˌstɝ.nəˌklaɪ.dəˌmæˈstɔɪ.di.əs/

A form of sternocleidomastoid muscle — A long thick superficial muscles on each side of the anterior neck which arises by one head from the first segment of the sternum and by a second from the inner part of the clavicle, that inserts into the mastoid process of the temporal bone and that acts especially to bend, flex, rotate and extend the head.

OriginNew Latin sternocleidomastoīdeus →
Scrabble 28
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Meanings

nounsternocleidomastoideus (plural sternocleidomastoidei)

plural sternocleidomastoidei

  1. alternativeanatomyAlternative form of sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Origin

  1. New Latinsternocleidomastoīdeus
  2. Englishsternocleidomastoideus

Borrowed from New Latin sternocleidomastoīdeus, clipping of mūsculus sternocleidomastoīdeus (“sternocleidomastoid muscle”).

More words from New Latin

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Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with sternocleidomastoideus

deltoideusmylohyoideusomohyoideusrhomboideussternohyoideusstylohyoideus
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

sternocleidomastoideus. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sternocleidomastoideus

MLA

“sternocleidomastoideus.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sternocleidomastoideus. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “sternocleidomastoideus,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sternocleidomastoideus.

Source: sternocleidomastoideus on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.