Pygostyle
/ˈpaɪɡəstaɪl/noun
The fused terminal vertebrae at the end of a bird’s backbone that support the tail feathers.
Did you know?The pygostyle is an evolutionary remnant of the bony tail found in bird ancestors, while modern birds use it as an anchor for powerful tail-feather muscles.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πυγή (pygē)
“Buttock, rump, or rear end”
Ancient Greek
Greek
στῦλος (stylos)
“Pillar or column”
19th Century
Scientific Greek
πυγόστυλος (pugóstylos)
“Having a pillar-like structure at the rump”
19th Century
New Latin
Pygostylus
“The fused terminal vertebral structure of a bird”
19th Century
English
Pygostyle
“The fused tail-end vertebrae supporting a bird’s tail feathers”