Tailbone: meaning, definitions and examples
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tailbone
[ ˈteɪlboʊn ]
anatomy, body part
The tailbone, or coccyx, is a small, triangular bony structure located at the base of the vertebral column. It consists of three to five fused vertebrae and serves as an attachment site for various muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It plays a role in balance and supports the weight of the body in a seated position.
Synonyms
coccyx, os coccygis.
Examples of usage
- He injured his tailbone during the fall.
- Sitting on hard surfaces can cause tailbone pain.
- The tailbone is crucial for maintaining posture when sitting.
- She experienced discomfort in her tailbone after riding for a long time.
Translations
Translations of the word "tailbone" in other languages:
🇵🇹 coccix
🇮🇳 कोकसिक्स
🇩🇪 Steißbein
🇮🇩 tulang ekor
🇺🇦 крижова кістка
🇵🇱 ogonowy kość
🇯🇵 尾骨 (びこつ)
🇫🇷 coccyx
🇪🇸 cóccix
🇹🇷 kuyruk sokumu
🇰🇷 미골 (migol)
🇸🇦 عَصْعَص (ʿaṣʿaṣ)
🇨🇿 kostrč
🇸🇰 kostrč
🇨🇳 尾骨 (wěigǔ)
🇸🇮 trtica
🇮🇸 rakkur
🇰🇿 құйрық сүйегі
🇬🇪 ქვეშა ძვალი (k'vesha dzvali)
🇦🇿 buxaq
🇲🇽 cóccix
Etymology
The term 'tailbone' dates back to the early 14th century, originating from the combination of the words 'tail' and 'bone'. The word 'tail' comes from the Old English 'tægel', which refers to the appendage connected to the rear of an animal. In anatomy, 'tail' historically referred to the part of the body that is reminiscent of the tail of an animal, even though in humans, this structure has degenerated into the coccyx. The 'bone' part of the word is derived from the Old English 'ban', meaning 'bone' or 'bony structure’. Over time, the term evolved to specifically denote the small bone at the end of the vertebral column that is the remnant of a vestigial tail. An interesting note is that in many languages, the coccyx retains etymological roots connected to the tail, emphasizing its anatomical significance.