sacrum

[ sak-ruhm, sey-kruhm ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural sac·ra [sak, -r, uh, sey, -kr, uh].

1. a bone resulting from the fusion of two or more vertebrae between the lumbar and the coccygeal regions, in humans being composed usually of five fused vertebrae and forming the posterior wall of the pelvis.

sacrum

/ ˈsækrəm; ˈseɪkrəm /

noun

1. (in man) the large wedge-shaped bone, consisting of five fused vertebrae, in the lower part of the back
2. the corresponding part in some other vertebrates

sacrum

/ sā′krəm,săk′rəm /

, Plural sacra

1. A triangular bone at the base of the spine, above the coccyx (tailbone), that forms the rear section of the pelvis. In humans it is made up of five vertebrae that fuse together by adulthood.
2. See more at skeleton

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacrum¹

1745–55; < Late Latin ( os ) sacrum holy (bone), translation of Greek hieròn ostéon

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacrum¹

C18: from Latin os sacrum holy bone, because it was used in sacrifices, from sacer holy

Example Sentences

Baptismum accipiebant velut sacrum aliquod signum similitudinis & confœderationis cum Gallis.

From Project Gutenberg

The os sacrum is composed of five vertebr, as in man, but in apes or monkeys of only three.

From Project Gutenberg

Fig. 4, represents one of the lumbar vertebræ, (five in number,) which are immediately above the sacrum.

From Project Gutenberg

There are but two positions worthy of notice in this presentation, and they are determined by the child's sacrum.

From Project Gutenberg

The body always rotates so that the back comes in front, and the chin passes into the curve of the Sacrum.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• backside