ischium

[is-kee-uhm]

noun

Anatomy.

plural

ischia 

1. the lower portion of either innominate bone.

2. either of the bones on which the body rests when sitting.

ischium

/ ˈɪskɪəm /

noun

1. one of the three sections of the hipbone, situated below the ilium

ischium

plural

ischia 

1. The lowest of the three major bones that constitute each half of the pelvis, distinct at birth but later becoming fused with the ilium and pubis.

Other Word Forms

• ischial adjective
• ischiadic adjective
• ischiatic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ischium¹

1640–50; < Latin < Greek ischíon hip-joint

Word History and Origins

Origin of ischium¹

C17: from Latin: hip joint, from Greek iskhion

Example Sentences

Its ischium, a pelvic bone, has a strong kink in it, compared to the more banana-like ischium from other fossils.

From Science Magazine

The remains, according to the team, included parts of a humerus, a femur and the ischium, and vertebral elements of the neck and back.

From BBC

He was a little tender at the bottom of the bones you sit on, called the ischia.

From New York Times

This muscle connected the ischium to the gastralia - or “belly ribs” - of the dinosaurs who possessed them, pulling these bones backward to expand the abdomen.

From Scientific American

A hamstring is a group of muscles that extends down the back of an upper leg, from the ischium, just above the hip joint, to just below the knee.

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What is ischial tuberosity?

Ischial tuberosity is the name for the part of the pelvis that supports a person while sitting.How to pronounce ischial tuberosity[ is-kee-uhl too-buh-ros-i-tee ]