coccyges

A doctor points to the coccyges on a medical diagram.

Definition

1. Noun (plural of ):
   • Anatomical term: "coccyges" refers to the plural form of the coccyx, the small, triangular bone at the base of the spinal column in humans and some other primates, often called the tailbone. It consists of fused vertebrae and serves as an attachment point for tendons and ligaments.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The surgeon examined the patient's coccyges after the fall, noting a fracture in one of the fused segments. (The plural form is used when referring to multiple coccyx bones, such as in comparative anatomy.)
  • In comparative anatomy, the coccyges of different primate species vary in size and shape. (The plural refers to these bones across multiple individuals or species.)

Advanced Usage

• "coccyges" in medical contexts: The term appears in discussions of injuries or anomalies affecting the tailbone region.

  • Radiographs of the coccyges revealed congenital fusion abnormalities in the patient. (X-rays showed unusual bone connections in the tailbone area.)

• "coccyges" in evolutionary biology: Used when comparing tailbone structures across species.

  • The coccyges of early hominids provide clues about the transition from tailed ancestors to tailless humans. (The bones offer evidence of evolutionary changes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Coccyx (n, singular): the tailbone itself.

  • She landed hard on her coccyx during the skateboarding accident. (The singular form refers to one person's tailbone.)

• Coccygeal (adj): relating to the coccyx.

  • The coccygeal region is sensitive to pressure and injury. (Describes the area around the tailbone.)

Synonyms

• Tailbone: the common, non-technical term for the coccyx.
• Os coccygis: the Latin anatomical term for the coccyx (used in formal medical writing).

Related Idioms