piriformis

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A gluteal muscle which arises from the front of the sacrum and the ischium or sacrotuberous ligament, passes out of the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen, and inserts into the greater trochanter of the femur, serving in humans to rotate the thigh laterally.

Pronunciation

/ˌpɪ.ɹɪˈfɔː.mɪs/ /ˌpɪɹ.əˈfɔɹ.mɪs/

Word forms

piriformis piriformes pyriformis

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from New Latin pirifōrmis, ellipsis of mūsculus pirifōrmis (“pear-shaped muscle”). Doublet of piriform.

Derived words

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