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astragalus

astragalus

1 9.9
A bone in the ankle that connects the foot to the leg and helps the ankle move
  • noun
  • /əˈstræɡələs/
  • Specialized
: astrágalo
  • Hind-limb elements known for this species are proximal femur, patella, and astragalus.

Examples

  • The astragalus is a crucial bone in the ankle that helps support movement between the foot and leg.

  • Healers who work exclusively with herbs, eschewing divination practices wherein direct communication is had with the ancestors, usually by casting a collection of astragalus bones and other objects, tend not to be called witchdoctors.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Doctors often examine the astragalus when diagnosing ankle injuries or conditions.

  • After the accident, the X-ray showed a fracture in the astragalus, indicating a serious injury to the ankle.

Synonyms

talus
vsastragalus
  • Specialized
2 8.9

A bone in the ankle that joins the foot and leg

is the precise anatomical name for that same bone
anklebone
vsastragalus
1 4.0

A bone in the ankle that connects the leg to the foot

is the formal anatomical term rather than the casual everyday name
astragal
vsastragalus
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small bone in the ankle that connects the leg to the foot

is the modern anatomical term rather than the older variant name
talar
vsastragalus
  • Specialized
1 8.6

The bone in the ankle that connects the leg and foot

is the standard technical term rather than a variant name

Compounds

genus Astragalus
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A large group of herbs and small shrubs in the pea family found in northern temperate regions

Astragalus alpinus
  • Specialized
9.9

A small plant that grows in cold mountain areas of Europe, Asia and North America and is related to peas

Astragalus danicus
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant that lives for many years with tight groups of purple flowers native to Europe

9.9

A European wild plant like a pea that has yellowish flowers

Surface Forms

astragalus singular
astragali plural

Etymology

The word astragalus comes from the Greek astragalos, which meant 'ankle bone' and also a small 'knucklebone' used in games. So astragalus today names the bone that joins the foot to the leg.