Uberon definition : A midventral endochondral skeletal element which represents the origin site of the
pectoral muscles[PHENOSCAPE:ad].;
Uberon synonym : vertebrate sternum;
Uberon related term : breastbone;
Uberon Development note : While its developmental origins are similar to the ribs (from the myospetum and septum
of the trunk region), it is often associated with the pectoral skeleton, due to both
function and physical connections (i.e. the coracoid of archosaurs). It may be a single
element or a series of smaller structure (sternebrae). Based on Kardong 2012. [PHENOSCAPE:ad].;
Uberon Homology note : Fishes lack a sternum. (...) A sternum is absent in the first fossil tetrapods, but
it is present in modern amphibians. (...) Thus, a sternum occurs in some modern amphibians,
birds, mammals and archosaurs. However, its absence in the common ancestors to these
groups means that it has arisen independently several times within the field of the
midventral connective tissue.[well established][VHOG];
Uberon Taxon note : in birds, either ratite (no keel or carina) or carinate (keel and carina present);