sternocleidomastoid
noun
ster·no·clei·do·mas·toid
ˌstər-nə-ˌklī-də-ˈma-ˌstȯid 
variants
or sternocleidomastoid muscle
: a thick superficial muscle on each side of the neck that 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 and occipital bone, and that acts especially to bend, rotate, flex, and extend the head
called also sternomastoid
Dictionary Entries Near sternocleidomastoid
Cite this Entry
“Sternocleidomastoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sternocleidomastoid. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
sternocleidomastoid
1 of 2 noun
ster·no·clei·do·mas·toid
ˌstər-nō-ˌklīd-ə-ˈmas-ˌtȯid
: a thick superficial muscle on each side that 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 and occipital bone, and that acts especially to bend, rotate, flex, and extend the head
sternocleidomastoid
2 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, supplying, or being a sternocleidomastoid
the sternocleidomastoid artery
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