valgus

adjective

val·​gus ˈval-gəs 

1

: of, relating to, or being a deformity in which an anatomical part is turned outward away from the midline of the body to an abnormal degree

a valgus heel

valgus deformity of the big toe

2

: varus sense 1

—used of the knee

valgus noun

Examples of valgus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her brain was small, like a chimpanzee's, but her pelvis and leg bones (including a valgus knee) looked almost identical to modern humans, indicating that Australopithecus afarensis was fully bipedal, i.e., stood upright and walked erect. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 13 June 2023

That last motion causes valgus torque, the force that stresses the UCL. —IEEE Spectrum, 26 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "knock-kneed," of uncertain origin

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

valgus

adjective

val·​gus ˈval-gəs 

1

: turned outward

especially : of, relating to, or being a deformity in which an anatomical part is turned outward away from the midline of the body to an abnormal degree

a valgus heel

valgus deformity of the big toe

see cubitus valgus, hallux valgus, talipes valgus compare genu valgum, genu varum

2

: varus sense 1

—used especially in orthopedics of the knee

changes spontaneously from the initial varus (bowing) to a valgus position (knock-knee) at about age 2 to 3

—Joan M. Walker

valgus noun