manubrium

The portion of the sternum or of the malleus that represents the handle of a sword or hammer. [L. handle]

- m. mallei SYN: m. of malleus.

- m. of malleus the handle of the malleus; the portion that extends downward, inward, and backward from the neck of the malleus; it is embedded throughout its length in the tympanic membrane. SYN: m. mallei.

- m. sterni [TA] SYN: m. of sternum.

- m. of sternum [TA] the upper segment of the sternum, a flattened, roughly triangular bone, occasionally fused with the body of the sternum, forming with it a slight angle, the sternal angle. SYN: m. sterni [TA], episternum, presternum.

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ma·nu·bri·um mə-'n(y)ü-brē-əm n, pl -bria -brē-ə also -bri·ums an anatomical process or part shaped like a handle: as

a) the uppermost segment of the sternum of humans and many other mammals that is a somewhat triangular flattened bone with anterolateral borders which articulate with the clavicles

b) the process of the malleus of the ear

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n. (pl. manubria)

1. the upper section of the breastbone (see sternum). It articulates with the clavicles and the first costal cartilage; the second costal cartilage articulates at the junction between the manubrium and body of the sternum.

2. the handle-like part of the malleus (an ear ossicle), attached to the eardrum.

• manubrial adj.

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ma·nu·bri·um (mə-nooґbre-əm) pl. manuґbria [L.] 1. a handlelike structure or part. m. sterni.