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A cup-shaped depression on the external surface of the hip bone, with which the head of the femur articulates. SYN: cotyle (2), cotyloid cavity. [L. a shallow vinegar vessel or cup]
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1) the cup-shaped socket in the hip bone
2) a sucker of an invertebrate (as a trematode or leech)
ac·e·tab·u·lar -lər adj
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n.
either of the two deep sockets, one on each side of the hip bone, into which the head of the thigh bone (femur) fits at the hip joint.
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ac·e·tab·u·lum (as″ə-tabґu-ləm) pl. acetabґula [L. “vinegar-cruet,†from acetum vinegar] [TA] the large cup-shaped cavity on the lateral surface of the os coxae in which the head of the femur articulates; called also acetabular bone, cotyloid cavity, and os acetabuli. acetabular adj
Acetabulum.
Medical dictionary. 2011.