Glenoid Cavity
/ˈɡliː.nɔɪd ˈkæv.ə.ti/noun
The shallow socket in the shoulder blade that receives the head of the upper-arm bone.
Did you know?“Glenoid” comes from Ancient Greek glḗnē, meaning “socket” or “eye socket,” while “cavity” descends from Latin cavus, “hollow.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gel-
“A proposed root associated with rounded or compact forms; the deeper origin of Greek glḗnē is uncertain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
γλήνη (glḗnē)
“A socket, especially a joint socket or eye socket.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
γληνοειδής (glēnoeidḗs)
“Socket-shaped or resembling a socket.”
16th Century
Latin
glenoides
“Glenoid; socket-shaped, used in anatomical terminology.”
Latin
Latin
cavitas
“A hollow space or cavity, from cavus, “hollow.””
17th Century
English
glenoid cavity
“The anatomical socket of the shoulder blade.”