Anatomy
sesamoid bone Audio
ses·a·moid [ ses-uh-moid ]
Subclass of:
Bone and Bones
Definitions related to sesamoid bones:
  • Any short, irregular bone that is embedded in a tendon, and which functions to alter the direction of muscle pull, diminish friction, and modify pressure; sesamoid bones are found in various locations in the body, the largest of which is the patella.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Nodular bones which lie within a tendon and slide over another bony surface. The kneecap (see PATELLA) is a sesamoid bone.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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