tarsal

[ tahr-suhl ]

adjective
  1. of or relating to the tarsus of the foot.

  2. pertaining to the tarsi of the eyelids.

noun
  1. a tarsal bone, joint, or the like.

Origin of tarsal

1
First recorded in 1810–20; tars(us) + -al1

Other words from tarsal

  • in·ter·tar·sal, adjective
  • post·tar·sal, adjective
  • sub·tar·sal, adjective

Words Nearby tarsal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use tarsal in a sentence

  • There are no Birds in which the tarsal bones remain separated and distinct throughout life.

    Dragons of the Air | H. G. Seeley
  • Shortening the eyelid by excision of a portion of the tarsal plate.

  • The chief articulating parts are the tibia with the tibial tarsal bone (astragulus).

    Lameness of the Horse | John Victor Lacroix
  • Sprains of the mesial tarsal ligaments cause lameness somewhat similar to that of spavin.

    Lameness of the Horse | John Victor Lacroix
  • However, in every instance if there is involvement of the tibial tarsal (astragalus) bone, complete recovery is highly improbable.

    Lameness of the Horse | John Victor Lacroix

British Dictionary definitions for tarsal

tarsal

/ (ˈtɑːsəl) /


adjective
  1. of, relating to, or constituting the tarsus or tarsi

noun
  1. a tarsal bone

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for tarsal

tarsal

[ tärsəl ]


Adjective
  1. Relating to or involving the ankle.

Noun
  1. Any of the seven bones of the tarsus.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.