pygostyle

American  

[pahy-guh-stahyl] / ˈpaɪ gəˌstaɪl /

noun

Ornithology.

1. the bone at the posterior end of the spinal column in birds, formed by the fusion of several caudal vertebrae.

---

Other Word Forms

• pygostyled adjective
• pygostylous adjective

Etymology

Origin of pygostyle

1870–75; < Greek pȳgo- (combining form representing pȳgḗ rump) + stŷlos pillar

Example Sentences

The tail's anatomy enabled the scientists to rule out that it belonged to a bird because it was long and flexible and lacked a pygostyle, fused vertebrae that in birds support the tail feathers.

From Reuters • Dec. 8, 2016

"We can be sure of the source because the vertebrae are not fused into a rod or pygostyle as in modern birds and their closest relatives," he explained.

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2016

Caudal vertebrae more than thirteen, without a pygostyle, but with about twelve pairs of rectrices.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 7 "Bible" to "Bisectrix" by Various

The origin is tendinous from the anteroventral edge of the pygostyle, and the insertion is semitendinous on the posterolateral surface of the shaft of the femur about one-fourth its length from the proximal end.

From Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae A Taxonomic Study by Stallcup, William B.

The last six or seven caudal vertebrae coalesce into the pygostyle, an upright blade which carries the rectrices.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 7 "Bible" to "Bisectrix" by Various