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
Word History
Etymology
New Latin sternocleidomastoides, from stern- + cleid- + mastoides mastoid
First Known Use
1831, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing sternocleidomastoid
Medical 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 2adjective
: of, relating to, supplying, or being a sternocleidomastoid
the sternocleidomastoid artery