noun
trapezium
A small wrist bone at the base of the thumb.
The trapezium connects the base of the thumb to the wrist.
Etymology
The Greek shape-name means a small table. Anatomy applies it to the wrist bone through its roughly four-sided form.
More examples
- An X-ray shows a fracture in her trapezium.
- The surgeon removes the trapezium to relieve severe thumb arthritis.
- Both trapezia appear normal on the scan.
Forms
trapezium · trapezia · trapeziums