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Glite Dictionary
capitate bone

capitate bone

6.6
A large bone in the middle of the wrist that connects to the base of the middle finger
  • noun
  • /ˈkæpɪteɪt boʊn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hueso capitado
  • The capitate bone is centrally located in the wrist and is the largest of the carpal bones.

Examples

  • A fracture of the capitate bone can cause pain and limited motion in the hand.

  • During the examination, the doctor identified swelling near the capitate bone.

  • The capitate bone is crucial for wrist mobility.

  • The capitate bones connect to the metacarpals.

  • A fracture of the capitate bone can cause pain and limited motion in the hand.

  • During the examination, the doctor identified swelling near the capitate bone.

  • The capitate bone is centrally located in the wrist and is the largest of the carpal bones.

Synonyms

capitate
vscapitate bone
  • Specialized
1 9.9

The largest bone in the wrist at the center that connects to the middle finger

is the exact same bone named in everyday anatomical English
os capitatum
vscapitate bone
  • Specialized
9.9

A large bone in the middle of the wrist that joins the middle finger bone

is the English anatomical name rather than the Latin term

Surface Forms

capitate bone singular
capitate bones plural

Morphology

capitate + bone

The meaning is directly compositional: 'capitate' denotes a specific carpal element and 'bone' denotes a skeletal element, so 'capitate bone' straightforwardly refers to that particular bone. This follows regular anatomical noun-noun naming patterns, so a learner who knows both constituents would be able to derive the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Capitate bone gets its name from the Latin word 'caput' meaning 'head', because this wrist bone has a round 'head' that connects to the hand. That's why the name helps you remember it is the largest bone in the center of the wrist.