胸骨(きょうこつ)

胸骨(きょうこつ) is the flat bone at the center of the chest. Most commonly encountered in medical and first-aid contexts.

Etymology

胸(きょう) (chest) + 骨(こつ) (bone).

Common collocations

• 胸骨(きょうこつ)圧迫(あっぱく): chest compressions (in CPR)
• 胸骨(きょうこつ)骨折(こっせつ): sternum fracture
• 胸骨(きょうこつ)の上(うえ)を押(お)す: to press on the sternum

Related words

• 肋骨(ろっこつ): ribs
• 鎖骨(さこつ): collarbone
• 背骨(せぼね): spine

Cultural note

In CPR (心肺蘇生法(しんぱいそせいほう)), the 胸骨(きょうこつ) is the reference point for hand placement during chest compressions.