Old name for talus
“Did you know the TALUS bone was historically also known as the astragalus, a term derived from Ancient Greek. In Greek, “astragalos” can refer to both a cervical vertebra and a type of dice made from the ankle bones of sheep or other animals. This reflects the bone’s somewhat cube-like shape, which resembles the dice used in various games in ancient times.
The naming and association with “astragalus” can be traced back to the works of Galen and other classical anatomists. The name “talus” is actually more recent, stemming from the Latin word for “ankle” or “anklebone.” Over time, the term “astragalus” was adopted into Latin and used in anatomical context before eventually being supplanted by “talus” in modern medical terminology, particularly in the English-speaking world.
This change in terminology to “talus” was influenced by evolving anatomical understanding and standardisation of medical terms over centuries, particularly with the rise of modern anatomy during the Renaissance and thereafter.”
Related Topics:
Talus | Aviators Astragalus | Congenital Vertical Talus
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