hip-bone
Definition
- Noun:
- Anatomy: "hip-bone" refers to either of the two large, irregularly shaped bones that form the sides and front of the pelvis. Each hip-bone is composed of three fused bones (the ilium, ischium, and pubis) and connects the lower limb to the axial skeleton.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The doctor examined the patient's hip-bone after the fall. (The doctor looked at the bone in the pelvic region.)
- A fracture of the hip-bone can be very painful and requires surgery. (A break in this pelvic bone causes severe discomfort.)
Advanced Usage
"hip-bone" in medical contexts: Often used to describe the structural support for the lower body.
- The hip-bone provides attachment points for muscles that control leg movement. (This bone anchors muscles essential for walking.)
"hip-bone" in evolutionary biology: Refers to the pelvic bone that has changed shape over time in humans to support upright walking.
- The human hip-bone is broader than that of chimpanzees, allowing for bipedal locomotion. (The wider pelvic bone enables walking on two legs.)
Variants and Related Words
- Hip (n): the area on either side of the body where the thigh meets the torso, including the hip-bone.
- She put her hands on her hips. (She placed her hands on the sides of her waist.)
- Hip joint (n): the ball-and-socket joint formed by the hip-bone and the femur.
- The hip joint allows for a wide range of leg movements. (The joint between the pelvic bone and thigh bone is flexible.)
Synonyms
- Pelvic bone: a broader term for the bones of the pelvis, including the hip-bone.
- Ilium: the upper part of the hip-bone, often used in anatomical contexts.
Related Idioms
- "Hip-bone connected to the thigh-bone": A phrase from the spiritual song "Dem Bones," used to illustrate the interconnectedness of body parts.
- In anatomy class, the teacher sang, "Hip-bone connected to the thigh-bone" to help students remember the skeleton. (This song links the pelvic bone to the femur.)