SESAMOID BONES
\sˈɛsɐmˌɔ͡ɪd bˈə͡ʊnz], \sˈɛsɐmˌɔɪd bˈəʊnz], \s_ˈɛ_s_ɐ_m_ˌɔɪ_d b_ˈəʊ_n_z]\
Definitions of SESAMOID BONES
- 1898 - Warner's pocket medical dictionary of today.
- 1846 - Medical lexicon: a dictionary of medical science
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By William R. Warner
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are small bones, situate in the substance of tendons, near certain joints. Their number is various. They are commonly more in the male than female. Two are constantly met with beneath the metatarso-phalangal articulations of the great toe. Sometimes, the articulations of other bones of the metatarsus with the phalanges of the toes have them likewise. In the hand, there are two before the metacarpo-phalangal joint of the thumb. At times, they are met with in the other metacarpo-phalangal articulations. Occasionally, two exist behind the condyles of the femur, in the tendons of the gastrocnemii muscles. A considerable os sesamoideum is also met with in the tendon of the peronaeus longus. These bones are commonly round, and flattened only on one surface, which is incrusted with cartilage. Their size is very variable, according to the joints in which they exist. Traces of sesamoid bones are not observed in infants: in them, they are replaced by small, cartilaginous concretions. They are developed by a single point of ossification: and are, like the patella (which is a true sesamoid bone,) composed of much cellular substance, covered by a thin layer of compact tissue. The use of these bones is,-to allow the tendon to be inserted into the lever at a greater angle; and thus enable the power to act more advantageously. Riolan has given the name Ossa sesamoidea to two bony points sometimes met with ;-the one at the outer side of the carotid canal of the temporal bone; and the other at the edge of the cavernous sinus, at the side of the internal carotid artery.
By Robley Dunglison
Word of the day
basidiomycota
- comprises fungi bearing the spores on basidium: Gasteromycetes (puffballs); Tiliomycetes (comprising orders Ustilaginales (smuts) and Uredinales (rusts)); Hymenomycetes (mushrooms; toadstools; agarics; bracket fungi); in some classification systems considered a division of kingdom comprises fungi bearing spores on a basidium; includes Gasteromycetes (puffballs) Tiliomycetes comprising the orders Ustilaginales (smuts) and Uredinales (rusts) Hymenomycetes (mushrooms, toadstools, agarics bracket fungi).