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Glite Dictionary
metacone

metacone

9.9
A pointed part on the outer back of an upper molar tooth
  • noun
  • /ˈmɛtəˌkoʊn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : metacono
  • There are two cusps labially (on the side of the cheek), the paracone and the metacone, and one cusp lingually (on the tongue side), the protocone.

Examples

  • Cusps (elevated areas) on upper molars are indicated as circles: protocone (pr.), paracone (pa.), metacone (me.), and parastyle (ps).

    Academic text (2001)

  • Each upper molar has multiple cusps, including the metacone, which assists in grinding food.

  • The metacone is one of the three main cusps found on the upper molar teeth of many mammals.

  • In examining the molar structure, the dentist pointed out the metacone, highlighting its shape and position.

Synonyms

cusp
vsmetacone
  • Specialized
1 8.3

A small pointed part on the top of a tooth used for chewing

refers to a specific point on the outer back part of an upper molar

Surface Forms

metacone singular
metacones plural

Morphology

metacone = cone (semi-transparent) = meta + cone

The term is built from the prefix 'meta-' and 'cone', but the specific anatomical sense is specialized and not fully predictable for an average learner.

Etymology

Metacone comes from the Greek parts meta- meaning 'after' or 'behind' and cone meaning 'cone' or 'pointed shape', like an ice-cream cone. So, it names the cone-shaped bump at the outer back part of an upper molar.