Baculum
/ˈbækjʊləm/noun
A slender bone found in the penis of many mammals, including some primates but not humans.
Did you know?The baculum is also called the os penis, meaning “bone of the penis,” and its presence or shape varies dramatically across mammal species.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Indo-European period
PIE?
*bak- / *bāk-?
“A proposed root associated with a staff or rod; the ultimate connection is uncertain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
βάκτρον (baktron)
“A staff, walking stick, or rod; often considered related to Latin baculum.”
Classical Latin
Latin
baculum
“A staff, stick, rod, or support.”
Late Latin
Latin
baculum
“A rod or staff; in anatomical usage, a bone resembling a rod.”
17th Century
Scientific Latin
baculum
“The penile bone of certain mammals, used as a formal anatomical term.”
Modern English
English
baculum
“The penile bone found in many mammals.”