Pterygoid
/ˈtɛr.ɪ.ɡɔɪd/noun
Relating to a wing-shaped structure, especially in anatomy.
Did you know?Pterygoid is built from Greek pteryx, meaning “wing,” plus -oid, meaning “resembling,” so the name literally frames a bone as a wing-shaped thing.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
pteryx
“wing”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pterygion
“small wing; fin-like part”
Late Latin
Latin
pterygoides
“wing-shaped”
16th-17th Century
English
pterygoid
“wing-shaped, especially in anatomy”
Modern English
English
pterygoid
“relating to a wing-shaped anatomical structure”
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