How bones got their names

Many of the medical names are derived from latin. If you study a bit of latin or greek you will find medical terms getting simpler. Below is a picture depicting how few bones got their names (Starting from the first picture row wise):

• ACETABULAM 

In Latin, acetum = vinegar and -bulum, a suffix signifying the instrument. Acetabulum was thought to resemble a small vinegar cruet of roman times.

• TIBIA

In Latin means a flute. Yes, a tibia after removal of external fixators looks like a flute :-)

• PATELLA

In Latin means a little plate. So next time have food in a big patella !

• SKULL

In Anglo Saxon means a bowl. Eat brain from the bowl !

• OLECRANON

In Greek, olenokranon, from olene = elbow and kranos = helmet. In other words, the protector of the elbow. Elbow's helmet !

• COCCYX

In Greek, kokkyx = cuckoo. This bone looks like the beak of a cuckoo. Huh?

• PELVIS

In Latin, pelvis means basin.

• CLAVICLE

In Latin, clavicula, diminutive of clavis = a key. Clavicle resembled those old keys. Anyway, don't use your clavicle to open your door :-)

 

If you want to study the origin of more medical terms try these websites:

1. http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html
2. http://www.emory.edu/ANATOMY/AnatomyManual/Etymology.html