os sacrum
/ˌɒs ˈseɪkrəm/
noun
Origin
Latin
os sacrum — sacred bone
Overview
Meaning Now
- A large, wedge-shaped vertebra at the lower end of the spine, formed by the fusion of five sacral vertebrae.
Literal older meaning
sacred bone
Language path
Latin → Latin
Earliest form
os sacrum
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The term is a translation of the Greek 'hieron osteon' (sacred bone). Historically, it is debated whether 'sacred' refers to the bone being the part of the body offered in animal sacrifice, its location protecting the reproductive organs, or a misunderstanding of the Greek word 'hieron' which can also mean 'large' or 'strong'.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
ἱερόν ὀστέον (hieron osteon)
“sacred/strong bone”
Used by Galen to describe the bone.
- Medieval Latin
os sacrum
“sacred bone”
Direct translation of the Greek term into Latin medical vocabulary.
- Modern English
sacrum
“The bone itself”
Common English medical usage often shortens the term.
Connections
Word parts
os
root
bone
sacrum
root
sacred
Related across languages
Greek
ἱερόν ὀστέον
sacred bone
Explore next
Related to os sacrum
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.