sesamoid

adj.
Of or designating any of certain small modular bones or cartilages that develop in a tendon or in the capsule of a joint.

n.
A sesamoid bone or cartilage.

[Greek sēsamoeidēs, shaped like a sesame seed : sēsamon, sēsamē, sesame; see sesame + -oeidēs, -oid.]

sesamoid ses'a·moid' n.

(sĕs'ə-moid')
adj.

1. Resembling a sesame seed in size or shape.
2. Of or relating to a sesamoid bone.

n.

A sesamoid bone or cartilage.

1. denoting a small nodular bone embedded in a tendon or joint capsule.
2. a sesamoid bone.

• carpal s. bone — a small sesamoid in the tendon of the abductor pollicis longus muscle of the dog.
• ectopic s. bone — an anatomically inexact, and no longer used, name for ununited anconeal process.
• metacarpal s. — proximal sesamoid bone.

IN BRIEF: n. - Any of several small round bones formed in a tendon where it passes over a joint.

Tutor's tip: This word was used in the 2006 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals.