noun
talus
TAY-lus/ˈteɪləs/
The ankle bone connecting the leg and foot.
The talus sits beneath the shinbone and above the heel bone.
Etymology
Latin talus named the ankle or anklebone, as well as a knucklebone. English adopted it as the anatomical name for the particular bone connecting the leg and foot.
In context
The talus is also known as the ankle bone and, as we can see, it's a saddle-shaped bone located between the tibia and the fibula bones of the lower leg
More examples
- An X-ray shows that his talus is fractured.
- Cartilage covers much of the talus, helping the ankle move smoothly.
- The talus transfers weight from the leg to the foot.
Forms
talus · tali
Similar words
- ankle bone
- The everyday term for the same bone in the ankle.