tarsal

[tahr-suhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to the tarsus of the foot.

2. pertaining to the tarsi of the eyelids.

noun

1. a tarsal bone, joint, or the like.

tarsal

/ ˈtɑːsəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting the tarsus or tarsi

noun

1. a tarsal bone

tarsal

1. Relating to or involving the ankle.

1. Any of the seven bones of the tarsus.

Other Word Forms

• intertarsal adjective
• posttarsal adjective
• subtarsal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarsal¹

First recorded in 1810–20; tars(us) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

But this is from the bug’s tarsal claws, not its mouth, Dr. Urban said.

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He had “marked flexure of the carpal and tarsal joints of all four limbs”—that is, hooked legs.

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The high schoolers and intermediate schoolers also compared notes about collar bones, fibulas, tibias, clavicles, tarsals and other bones found in the human body.

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Shin said the spy agency identified Kim’s condition as tarsal tunnel syndrome, an often painful condition that is caused by the compression of a nerve, sometimes because of a cyst.

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The growth which materialised in May was caused by what is known as "tarsal tunnel syndrome" whereby a nerve is pinched, causing the ankle to swell.

Read more on BBC