DIAPOPHYSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Diapophysis is a term used primarily in anatomy and refers to a specific anatomical structure found in vertebrate skeletons, particularly in the spinal column. It is a bony projection or process that arises from the vertebral arch, specifically from the point where the pedicle and the transverse process of a vertebra meet. In simpler terms, it is a small bony outgrowth that extends laterally from the sides of a vertebra.
The diapophysis serves as a point of attachment for various muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues, allowing for the stabilization and controlled movement of the vertebral column. It plays a crucial role in the overall function of the spine, allowing for flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral movement.
The size, shape, and orientation of the diapophysis can vary depending on the species and the specific region of the vertebral column. In certain animals, such as reptiles and dinosaurs, the diapophysis may be elongated or modified, serving additional functions such as support for the rib cage or as anchor points for specialized muscles.
Understanding the structure and function of the diapophysis is important in various fields such as comparative anatomy, paleontology, and medical sciences, as it provides insights into the evolutionary changes and adaptations in vertebral column morphology across different species.
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The transverse process of a vertebra; the upper transverse process of the neural arch of a vertebra.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for DIAPOPHYSIS
- siapophysis
- xiapophysis
- ciapophysis
- fiapophysis
- riapophysis
- eiapophysis
- duapophysis
- djapophysis
- dkapophysis
- doapophysis
- d9apophysis
- d8apophysis
- dizpophysis
- dispophysis
- diwpophysis
- diqpophysis
- diaoophysis
- dialophysis
- dia-ophysis
- diapophyysis
Etymology of DIAPOPHYSIS
The word "diapophysis" has its etymology rooted in the Greek language.
The term "diapophysis" is derived from two Greek words: "dia" (διά) meaning "through" or "across", and "apophysis" (ἀπόφυσις) meaning "a process or growth".
"Apophysis" itself is a combination of "apo" (ἀπό), meaning "from" or "away", and "physis" (φύσις), meaning "growth" or "nature".
Therefore, "diapophysis" can be understood as the fusion of these two Greek components, referring to a growth or process that originates from, extends across, or goes through something.
Idioms with the word DIAPOPHYSIS
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