adj. Not sternal; said of ribs that do not join the sternum.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
adj. Not sternal; -- said of ribs which do not join the sternum.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
Having no sternum or breast-bone, as a serpent.
Not reaching to or connected with the sternum: as, asternal ribs, that is, floating ribs, ribs which do not articulate with the breast-bone.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
adj. not connected to the sternum or breastbone
Word Usage
"In the healthy adult male body, Plate 22, the two lungs, D D*, whilst in their ordinary expanded state, may be said to range over all that region of the trunk of the body which is marked by the sternal and asternal ribs."