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Costa (Noun)

A riblike part of a plant or animal (such as a middle rib of a leaf or a thickened vein of an insect wing).

Nouns denoting body parts.

The leaves were translucent and thin, but featured distinctive veins or costa that added a delicate network of support and structure.
Botanists often study the costa of ferns and cycads, as they provide critical information for distinguishing between different species.
The insect's iridescent wings featured intricate patterns made by the costa and veins that gave the appearance of stained glass.
Examination of the costae in leaf fossils has provided valuable evidence of plant evolution in the Paleozoic and Mesozoic Eras.
Entomologists use the shape, size, and coloration of the costa and other wing structures to identify different species of butterflies and moths.

Any of the 12 pairs of curved arches of bone extending from the spine to or toward the sternum in humans (and similar bones in most vertebrates).

Nouns denoting body parts.

The ribcage is made up of 24 separate costa bones that work together to protect the heart and lungs.
A severe blow to the costa on the left side of the chest was responsible for the patient's discomfort.
Each costa is a complex bone that connects the spine to the thoracic cavity.
The costa bones are not only important for respiration but also provide protection for the heart.
A break in one of the costa bones, also known as a rib fracture, can be extremely painful.