Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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| bone resulting from the fusion of two or more vertebrae between the lumbar and the coccygeal regions |
| bone of the skull, develops from lateral halves and forms posterior/inferior part of nasal septum |
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coccyx
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coccyx coc·cyx (kŏk'sĭks)
n. pl. coc·cy·ges (kŏk-sī'jēz, kŏk'sĭ-jēz')
The small triangular bone located at the base of the spinal column, formed by the fusion of four rudimentary vertebrae, and articulating above with the sacrum. Also called tailbone.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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coccyx  (kŏk'sĭks) Pronunciation Key
Plural coccyges (kŏk-sī'jēz, kŏk'sĭ-jēz') A small triangular bone at the base of the spine in humans and apes. It is composed of several fused vertebrae. Also called tailbone. |
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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coccyx
curved, semiflexible lower end of the backbone (vertebral column) in apes and humans, representing a vestigial tail. It is composed of three to five successively smaller caudal (coccygeal) vertebrae. The first is a relatively well-defined vertebra and connects with the sacrum; the last is represented by a small nodule of bone. The spinal cord ends above the coccyx. In early adulthood the coccygeal vertebrae fuse with each other; in later life the coccyx may fuse with the sacrum. A corresponding structure in other vertebrates, such as birds, may also be called a coccyx.
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