sesamoid

ses·a·moid  (ss-moid)

adj.

Of or designating any of certain small modular bones or cartilages that develop in a tendon or in the capsule of a joint.

n.

A sesamoid bone or cartilage.

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[Greek ssamoeids, shaped like a sesame seed : ssamon, ssam, sesame; see sesame + -oeids, -oid.]

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sesa·moid n.

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sesamoid [ˈsɛsəˌmɔɪd]

adj Anatomy

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) of or relating to various small bones formed in tendons, such as the patella

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) of or relating to any of various small cartilages, esp those of the nose

[from Latin sēsamoīdēs like sesame (seed), from Greek]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

sesamoid - any of several small round bones formed in a tendon where it passes over a joint os sesamoideum, sesamoid bone bone, os - rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates kneecap, kneepan, patella - a small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that protects the knee joint