PYRIFORMIS Meaning and
Definition
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Pyriformis is a term used in anatomy to refer to a specific muscle located in the gluteal region of the body. It is derived from the Latin word "pyrus," which means "pear," indicating its resemblance to the shape of a pear. The pyriformis muscle is a narrow, pyramid-shaped muscle that originates from the sacrum, a triangular bone at the base of the spine, and attaches to the upper part of the femur, or thigh bone.
The pyriformis muscle plays a vital role in movement and stability of the hip joint. It acts as an external rotator of the thigh, meaning it turns the thigh bone outward away from the body's midline. Additionally, it assists in abducting the thigh, which involves moving it away from the center of the body. These actions are important for various lower body movements, such as walking, running, and climbing stairs.
Despite its relatively small size, the pyriformis muscle can cause significant pain and discomfort when it becomes tight or inflamed. This condition, known as pyriformis syndrome, often presents as buttock or hip pain that may radiate down the back of the leg, mimicking symptoms of sciatica. Treatment for pyriformis syndrome typically includes stretching exercises, physical therapy, and sometimes medication or injections to alleviate pain and inflammation.
Overall, the pyriformis muscle plays a crucial role in hip joint function and can be a source of discomfort if affected by certain conditions.
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Piriformis, see under musculus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PYRIFORMIS
- -piriformis
- pieriformis
- oyriformis
- lyriformis
- -yriformis
- 0yriformis
- ptriformis
- pgriformis
- p7riformis
- p6riformis
- pyeiformis
- pydiformis
- pyfiformis
- pytiformis
- py5iformis
- py4iformis
- pyruformis
- pyrjformis
- pyrkformis
- pyroformis
Etymology of PYRIFORMIS
The word pyriformis is derived from two Latin words: pyrus, meaning pear, and forma, meaning shape or form. Thus, pyriformis can be translated as pear-shaped.
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