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Glite Dictionary
os trapezium

os trapezium

9.8
A small wrist bone on the thumb side that joins the base of the thumb and index finger
  • noun
  • /ˈɑs træˈpiːziəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hueso trapezio
  • The surgeon carefully examined the patient's os trapezium for any signs of fracture.

Examples

  • In a healthy hand, the os trapezium moves smoothly against the surrounding carpal bones.

  • Arthritis can cause pain in the os trapezium, especially when gripping objects.

  • The os trapezium is crucial for thumb movement.

  • Can you identify the os trapezium in this diagram?

  • Arthritis can cause pain in the os trapezium, especially when gripping objects.

  • In a healthy hand, the os trapezium moves smoothly against the surrounding carpal bones.

  • The surgeon carefully examined the patient's os trapezium for any signs of fracture.

Synonyms

trapezium
vsos trapezium
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A small bone in the wrist on the thumb side that connects to the base of the thumb

has identical meaning but is a different naming variant
trapezium bone
vsos trapezium
  • Specialized
8.3

A small wrist bone near the thumb that helps it move

means the same bone but uses an alternate form of the name

Surface Forms

os trapezium singular
os trapeziums plural

Morphology

os + trapezium

This is a literal anatomical name: 'os' means 'bone' and 'trapezium' names a specific carpal bone, so the phrase simply denotes the trapezium bone at the thumb side of the wrist. The meaning is directly compositional and follows common anatomical naming patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Os trapezium may come from old words: os means 'bone' and trapezium means a small four-sided shape or 'little table', because this wrist bone near the thumb looks a bit like a tiny table. So the name helps you remember it is the wrist 'bone' on the thumb side.