The word "substernal" is spelled as suhb-STER-nuhl, with the primary stress on the second syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /sʌbˈstɜːnəl/. It is derived from two Latin words "sub" which means under and "sternum" which means chest bone. Hence, the term generally refers to something situated beneath or behind the sternum. Medical professionals often use this term to describe the location of heart attacks or chest pain that occurs beneath the sternum.
Substernal is an adjective used to describe a location, position, or feeling associated with being below or behind the sternum, which is the long flat bone in the front of the chest that connects the ribs. When referring to a specific area of the body, substernal pertains to anything situated beneath the sternum.
In medical terminology, substernal often describes conditions or symptoms related to discomfort, pain, or pressure felt beneath the sternum. For example, substernal chest pain is a sensation of discomfort or distress occurring in the area under the breastbone. This can be a symptom of various conditions, including heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, or even angina, which is a heart-related issue.
Additionally, substernal may also be used to describe the location of certain medical procedures or interventions that occur beneath the sternum. For instance, a substernal implant refers to a device or artificial object placed below the breastbone for medical purposes, like a pacemaker or an intraosseous infusion device.
Overall, the term substernal is primarily used in medical and anatomical contexts, denoting anything positioned, happening, or related to the area below the sternum in the human body.
The word substernal is derived from two Latin roots: sub meaning under or below, and sternum referring to the breastbone or chest bone. So, substernal literally means under the sternum or below the breastbone.