acetabulum

American  

[as-i-tab-yuh-luhm] / ˌæs ɪˈtæb yə ləm /

noun

plural

acetabula

1. Anatomy. the socket in the hipbone that receives the head of the thighbone.

2. Zoology. any of the suction appendages of a leech, octopus, etc.

---

acetabulum British  

/ ˌæsɪˈtæbjʊləm /

noun

1. the deep cuplike cavity on the side of the hipbone that receives the head of the thighbone

2. a round muscular sucker in flatworms, leeches, and cephalopod molluscs

3. the aperture in the thorax of an insect that holds the leg

---

Other Word Forms

• acetabular
  adjective
• postacetabular
  adjective
• preacetabular
  adjective
• subacetabular
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of acetabulum

1660–70; < Latin: hip socket, cup-shaped part of a plant (Pliny), literally, small cup, originally for vinegar, equivalent to acēt ( um ) vinegar + -ā- by analogy with verbal derivatives ( cf. vocable) + -bulum suffix denoting instrument or vessel

Example Sentences

McCarthy’s voluminous research is everywhere on the page — and, yes, very impressive — but you may find yourself stopping to look up supercavitation, acetabulum or festination only to turn back having forgotten what’s happening.

From Washington Post • Nov. 15, 2021

The head of the femur becomes abnormally shaped and no longer fits seamlessly in the acetabulum, or socket, putting the hip at risk of future injury.

From Washington Post • May 15, 2017

The acetabulum of the pelvis is reshaped and a replacement socket is fitted into its place.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Its rounded head articulates with the acetabulum of the hip bone to form the hip joint.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

As a rule three bones enter into the borders of this cup, termed the acetabulum, in which the head of the thigh bone, named the Femur, moves with a more or less rotary motion.

From Dragons of the Air An Account of Extinct Flying Reptiles by Seeley, H. G.