zygapophysis

[ zig-uh-pof-uh-sis, zahy-guh- ]
/ ˌzɪg əˈpɒf ə sɪs, ˌzaɪ gə- /

noun, plural zyg·a·poph·y·ses [zig-uh-pof-uh-seez, zahy-guh-] /ˌzɪg əˈpɒf əˌsiz, ˌzaɪ gə-/. Anatomy.

one of the four processes of a vertebra, occurring in pairs that interlock each vertebra with the vertebrae above and below.

Origin of zygapophysis

1850–55; zyg- + apophysis

OTHER WORDS FROM zygapophysis

zyg·ap·o·phys·e·al, zyg·ap·o·phys·i·al [zig-ap-uh-fiz-ee-uh l, zahy-gap-] /ˌzɪg æp əˈfɪz i əl, ˌzaɪ gæp-/, adjective post·zyg·ap·o·phys·e·al, adjective post·zyg·ap·o·phys·i·al, adjective

Words nearby zygapophysis

zwolle, zworykin, zyban, zydeco, zygal, zygapophysis, zygo-, zygodactyl, zygodactyly, zygogenesis, zygoma

British Dictionary definitions for zygapophyseal

zygapophysis
/ (ˌzɪɡəˈpɒfɪsɪs, ˌzaɪɡə-) /

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

anatomy zoology one of several processes on a vertebra that articulates with the corresponding process on an adjacent vertebra

Derived forms of zygapophysis

zygapophyseal (ˌzɪɡæpəˈfɪzɪəl), adjective

Word Origin for zygapophysis

C19: from zygo- + apophysis