Definition

1. Noun:
   • A carpal bone in the wrist: The trapezium bone is one of the eight small carpal bones that make up the wrist. It is located on the radial side (thumb side) of the hand.
   • A bone with specific articulations: It is distinguished by its articulations (joint connections) with the first metacarpal bone (the bone supporting the thumb) and the second metacarpal bone (the bone supporting the index finger).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Arthritis in the trapezium bone can cause significant pain at the base of the thumb.
  • The surgeon carefully realigned the fractured trapezium bone.
  • The trapezium bone is crucial for thumb mobility.

Advanced Usage

• Anatomical context: In detailed anatomical descriptions, the trapezium bone is often discussed in relation to the "trapeziometacarpal joint," which is the joint between the trapezium and the first metacarpal, responsible for thumb opposition.
  • Osteoarthritis commonly affects the trapeziometacarpal joint.

Variants and Related Words

• Trapezium (noun): This is the standard and full term for the bone. In anatomical contexts, "trapezium" and "trapezium bone" are synonymous.
• Greater multangular bone (noun): This is an older, less common synonym for the trapezium bone.
• Trapezoid bone (noun): A different, adjacent carpal bone. It is important not to confuse the trapezium with the trapezoid bone.

Synonyms

• Trapezium (noun): The primary synonym.
• Greater multangular bone (noun): A historical synonym.

Related Anatomical Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Carpal bones (noun phrase): The group of eight bones in the wrist, which includes the trapezium.
• First metacarpal (noun phrase): The long bone in the hand that connects to the trapezium and supports the thumb.
• Scaphoid bone (noun phrase): The carpal bone located next to the trapezium.

Noun

1. the wrist bone on the thumb side of the hand that articulates with the 1st and 2nd metacarpals