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Glite Dictionary
sesamoid

sesamoid

1 9.9
A small round bone inside a band that joins muscle to bone near a joint, like the kneecap
  • noun
  • /ˈsɛsəˌmɔɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sesamoides
  • sesamoid bone

Examples

  • They use a thumb-like modified sesamoid bone for stability.

    Ace Ventura Jr: Pet Detective (2009)

  • The doctor explained that the sesamoid bone helps the tendon function properly during movement.

  • The knee contains a sesamoid bone known as the patella, which protects the joint.

  • Athletes often experience pain around the sesamoid bones located in the foot.

Synonyms

sesamoid bone
vssesamoid
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A small round bone that forms inside a tendon near a joint, like the kneecap

has identical meaning but gives the kneecap as a typical example
os sesamoideum
vssesamoid
  • Specialized
9.9

A small round bone inside a tendon where it passes over a joint, often in hands or feet

emphasizes hands and feet while the key highlights the kneecap

Compounds

sesamoid bone
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A small round bone that forms inside a tendon near a joint, like the kneecap

Surface Forms

sesamoid singular
sesamoids plural

Morphology

sesamoid = sesame (opaque) = sesamo + oid

Although historically formed from 'sesame' + '-oid' meaning 'resembling a sesame seed', the term is technical and the connection is not obvious to average learners.

Etymology

Sesamoid comes from the Greek word sesame for a small seed, and the ending -oid means 'like'. So a sesamoid is a small, seed-like bone inside a tendon near a joint, which explains why the kneecap is the largest sesamoid.