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Glite Dictionary
diapophysis

diapophysis

9.9
A small bony bump on the side of a bone in the spine where a rib or muscle attaches
  • noun
  • /ˌdaɪəˈpɒfɪsɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : diapófisis
  • Muscles attach to the diapophysis to help stabilize the spine.

Examples

  • The diapophysis is crucial for rib attachment.

  • Each vertebra has two diapophyses on its sides.

  • The paleontologist identified the diapophysis on the dinosaur vertebra.

  • In some mammals, the diapophysis is more prominent than in others.

  • The paleontologist identified the diapophysis on the dinosaur vertebra.

  • Muscles attach to the diapophysis to help stabilize the spine.

  • Each vertebra has two diapophyses on its sides.

Surface Forms

diapophysis singular
diapophyses plural

Morphology

diapophysis = apophysis (opaque) = dia + apophysis

A specialized anatomical formation (dia- + apophysis); the precise meaning is technical and not deducible by an average B1 learner from the parts.

Etymology

Diapophysis comes from Greek parts apo- ('away') and -physis ('growth'), so it originally meant a bony 'outgrowth'. That's why a diapophysis is the side projection on a vertebra where a rib or muscle can attach.