tarsometatarsus

noun

tar·​so·​meta·​tar·​sus ˈtär-(ˌ)sō-ˈme-tə-ˌtär-səs 

: the large compound bone of the lower leg of a bird that is formed by fusion of the metatarsals with the distal end of the tarsus

also : the segment of the limb it supports

Examples of tarsometatarsus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Between toes and tibia, the tarsometatarsus exists in birds and some non-avian dinosaurs. —Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2016

The Early Miocene was a time of early parrot diversification, a veritable Parrotpalooza of environmental adaptation, but this little tarsometatarsus (the partial fossil is a mere 5mm long) is the first to be found in Asia during this period. —Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2016

Researchers study owl fossils by looking at the shapes of their bones, including their tarsometatarsus, Smith said in an interview with LiveScience. —Fox News, 4 Aug. 2020

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from tarsus + -o- + metatarsus

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above