hypocentrum

noun

hy·​po·​centrum

"+

plural hypocentra

: a ventral part of the body of a vertebra that is usually wedge-shaped or horseshoe-shaped, consists of the fused lower arcualia of the anterior of the two arches from which each vertebra is formed, and is characteristic of some fishes, stegocephalians, and primitive reptiles

called also intercentrum

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from hypo- + centrum

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