zygapophysis

[ zig-uh-pof-uh-sis, zahy-guh- ]

noun,plural zyg·a·poph·y·ses [zig-uh-pof-uh-seez, zahy-guh-]. /ˌzɪg əˈpɒf əˌsiz, ˌzaɪ gə-/. Anatomy.
  1. one of the four processes of a vertebra, occurring in pairs that interlock each vertebra with the vertebrae above and below.

Origin of zygapophysis

1
First recorded in 1850–55; zyg- + apophysis

Other words from zygapophysis

  • zyg·ap·o·phys·e·al, zyg·ap·o·phys·i·al [zig-ap-uh-fiz-ee-uhl, zahy-gap-], /ˌzɪg æp əˈfɪz i əl, ˌzaɪ gæp-/, adjective
  • post·zyg·ap·o·phys·e·al, adjective
  • post·zyg·ap·o·phys·i·al, adjective

Words Nearby zygapophysis

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How to use zygapophysis in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for zygapophysis

zygapophysis

/ (ˌzɪɡəˈpɒfɪsɪs, ˌzaɪɡə-) /


nounplural -ses (-ˌsiːz)
  1. anatomy zoology one of several processes on a vertebra that articulates with the corresponding process on an adjacent vertebra

Origin of zygapophysis

1
C19: from zygo- + apophysis

Derived forms of zygapophysis

  • zygapophyseal (ˌzɪɡæpəˈfɪzɪəl), adjective

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