xiphisternum

X8I1P3H4I1S1T1E1R1N1U1M3

noun

Synonym of xiphoid process.

Scrabble 26

Meanings

nounxiphisternum (plural xiphisterna or xiphisternums)

plural xiphisterna · plural xiphisternums

  1. anatomySynonym of xiphoid process.

    Again, the distance between the umbilicus and the xiphisternum is divided into three equal parts, corresponding to 28, 32, and 36 weeks. At 36 weeks, the fundus is at the level of the xiphisternum.

    2015, Lakshmi Seshadri, Gita Arjun, Essentials of Obstetrics, Wolters Kluwer, page 107
    3 more examples

    Hence the spaces between the forks of the hyposternum and between the hypo- and xiphisternums are relatively much smaller, and the external process of the hyposternum is twice as broad as in the common Cock.

    1866, W. K. Parker, “On the Osteology of Gallinaceous Birds and Tinamous”, in Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, Volume 5, Zoological Society of London, page 165

    1887, "Skeleton", entry in The Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 22, 9th Edition, page 113, The xiphisternum may assume various forms, but attains its maximum development in Birds, where it forms the part of the sternum posterior to the attachment of the ribs, and may consist of a median and four lateral processes, as in the Fowl. It bears the greater part of the keel.

    Unfixed cartilage was studied. It was isolated from the xiphisterna of female Sprague-Dawley rats (150-200 g body weight) killed by cervical fracture. The xiphisternum was removed immediately at its point of attachment to the sternal column.

    1968, The Histochemical Journal, Volume 2, page 425

    Synonyms: xiphoid process

Synonyms & antonyms

nounSynonym of xiphoid process.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekξίφος“sword”
  2. Englishxiphisternum

Ancient Greek ξίφος (xíphos, “sword”) + English -i- (in place of the etymologically consistent -o-) + English sternum

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Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with xiphisternum

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Cite this entry
APA

xiphisternum. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/xiphisternum

MLA

“xiphisternum.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/xiphisternum. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “xiphisternum,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/xiphisternum.

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