Ischium
/ˈɪsk.i.əm/noun
The lower, back part of the hip bone that helps form the socket of the hip joint.
Did you know?Ischium comes from Greek anatomy, where the word was used for the sitting bone, and it ultimately traces back to a root meaning “to hold back” or “be restrained” in the body’s structure.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ischíon (ἰσχίον)
“the hip joint or hip bone”
Latin
Latin
ischium
“the hip bone”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
Latin
ischium
“anatomical term for the hip bone”
16th Century
English
ischium
“the lower, back part of the hip bone”
Modern English
English
ischium
“the sitting bone, part of the pelvis”