tarsometatarsus

noun

tar·​so·​meta·​tar·​sus ˈtär-(ˌ)sō-ˈme-tə-ˌtär-səs How to pronounce tarsometatarsus (audio)
: the large compound bone of the lower leg of a bird that is formed by fusion of the metatarsals with the distal end of the tarsus
also : the segment of the limb it supports

Examples of tarsometatarsus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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All three were just the part of the foot bone where the toes attach called the tarsometatarsus. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2024 Between toes and tibia, the tarsometatarsus exists in birds and some non-avian dinosaurs. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2016 The Early Miocene was a time of early parrot diversification, a veritable Parrotpalooza of environmental adaptation, but this little tarsometatarsus (the partial fossil is a mere 5mm long) is the first to be found in Asia during this period. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2016 Researchers study owl fossils by looking at the shapes of their bones, including their tarsometatarsus, Smith said in an interview with LiveScience. Fox News, 4 Aug. 2020

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from tarsus + -o- + metatarsus

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tarsometatarsus was in 1854

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Cite this Entry

“Tarsometatarsus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tarsometatarsus. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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