Final answer:
The sternum is anterior to the vertebrae, with the sternum forming the front part of the rib cage and the vertebrae supporting the back.
Step-by-step explanation:
In anatomical terms, the sternum is anterior to the vertebrae. The sternum, often referred to as the breastbone, is a flat, elongated structure that forms the front portion of the rib cage, consisting of the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process.
The vertebrae are part of the vertebral column which supports the back. Since the sternum is located towards the front of the body and the vertebral column runs along the back, the correct directional term is that the sternum is anterior to the vertebrae.