Xiphoid process

Xiphoid process
A pointed cartilage attached to the lower end of the breastbone or sternum, the smallest and lowest division of the sternum. Cartilaginous early in life, it may become ossified (bony) in adults. It is sometimes simply called the xiphoid. Also known as the ensiform cartilage or process. The ancients thought the xiphoid looked like the tip of a sword. The word "xiphoid" is from the Greek "xiphos" (straight sword) + "eidos" (like) = straight sword. "Ensiform" is from the Latin "ensis" (sword) + "forma" (shape) = sword shape.

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xiphoid process n the smallest and lowest division of the human sternum that is cartilaginous early in life but becomes more or less ossified during adulthood called also ensiform cartilage, ensiform process

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(xiphoid cartilage)dimethylbenzene
the lowermost section of the breastbone (see sternum): a flat pointed cartilage that gradually ossifies until it is completely replaced by bone, a process not completed until after middle age. It does not articulate with any ribs. Also called: ensiform process or cartilage, xiphisternum.

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processus xiphoideus.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Xiphoid process — Infobox Bone Name = Xiphoid process Latin = processus xiphoideus GraySubject = 27 GrayPage = 121 Caption = Lateral border of sternum. (Xiphoid process labeled at bottom.) Caption2 = Posterior surface of sternum. System = MeshName = Xiphoid+Bone… …   Wikipedia

  • xiphoid process — Xiphisternum Xiph i*ster num, n.; pl. {Xiphisterna}. [NL., fr. Gr. xi fos a sword + sternum.] (Anat.) (a) The posterior segment, or extremity, of the sternum; sometimes called {metasternum}, {ensiform cartilage}, {ensiform process}, or {xiphoid… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • xiphoid process — xiphoid cartilage the lowermost section of the breastbone (see sternum): a flat pointed cartilage that gradually ossifies until it is completely replaced by bone, a process not completed until after middle age. It does not articulate with any… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • xiphoid process — [ zɪfɔɪd] (also xiphoid cartilage) noun Anatomy the cartilaginous section at the lower end of the sternum, not attached to any ribs. Origin C18: from Gk xiphoeidēs, from xiphos sword …   English new terms dictionary

  • xiphoid process — noun Date: 1873 the third and lowest segment of the human sternum …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • xiphoid process — noun /ˈzɪˌfɔɪd ˈprɑˌsɛs/ The cartilaginous extension of the lower sternum; the xiphisternum …   Wiktionary

  • xiphoid process — noun smallest of the three parts of the breastbone; articulates with the corpus sternum and the seventh rib • Hypernyms: ↑bone, ↑os • Part Holonyms: ↑sternum, ↑breastbone …   Useful english dictionary

  • xiphoid cartilage — xiphoid process …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • xiphoid cartilage — n XIPHOID PROCESS * * * see xiphoid process * * * processus xiphoideus …   Medical dictionary

  • Xiphoid — Xiph oid (?; 277), a. [Gr. ? sword shaped; xi fos a sword + ? form, shape: cf. F. xiphoide.] (Anat.) (a) Like a sword; ensiform. (b) Of or pertaining to the xiphoid process; xiphoidian. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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