Apophysis

Origin

Greek απόφυσις (offshoot), from ἀπό + φύειν (to bring forth), from Proto-Indo-European base *bheu- (to exist, to grow).

Full definition of apophysis

Noun

1. (anatomy) A natural outgrowth, swelling or enlargement, usually of an organism; A protuberance on a bone.
• 1836, E. A. Poe, Every bone in the real duck had its representative in the automaton, and its wings were anatomically exact. Every cavity, apophysis, and curvature was imitated, and each bone executed its proper movements.
2. (geology) A branch of a dike or vein
• 1980, U.S. Government Printing Office, Geological Survey Professional Paper, Volume 1119Minor palingenetic magmas probably were generated at this time and intruded the mantling rocks in the form of small sills and apophyses; ...

Derived terms

• apophysitis
• apophyseal
• hypapophysis
• parapophysis
• synapophysis
• pleurapophysis
• neurapophysis
• zygapophysis