What is "pectoral girdle"

Pectoral \Pec"to*ral\ (p[e^]k"t[-o]*ral), a. [L. pectoralis, fr. pectus, -oris the breast; cf. F. pectoral.]

1. Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral muscles.

2. Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs; as, a pectoral remedy.

3. (Zo["o]l.) Having the breast conspicuously colored; as, the pectoral sandpiper.

   Pectoral arch, or Pectoral girdle (Anat.), the two or more bony or cartilaginous pieces of the vertebrate skeleton to which the fore limbs are articulated; the shoulder girdle. In man it consists of two bones, the scapula and clavicle, on each side.

   Pectoral cross (Eccl.), a cross worn on the breast by bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons.

   Pectoral fins, or Pectorals (Zo["o]l.), fins situated on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under Fin.

   Pectoral rail. (Zo["o]l.) See Land rail (b) under Land.

   Pectoral sandpiper (Zo["o]l.), the jacksnipe (b) .

n. (context anatomy English) The bony or cartilaginous assembly that supports the forelimbs in vertebrates

n. a skeletal support to which the forelimbs of vertebrates are attached