Not connected to or lacking a sternum (breastbone); anatomically positioned without sternal attachment.
From the prefix a- (meaning 'without') plus sternal (relating to the sternum, from Latin sternum). The 'a-' prefix is a productive way to create opposite meanings in medical and scientific terminology.
This is classic medical terminology—doctors use 'a-' prefixes (like in 'atypical' or 'asexual') to mean 'without,' making it a super efficient way to describe anatomy.
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