RHOMBOID Meaning and
Definition
-
Rhomboid can refer to two slightly different concepts, one from geometry and the other from anatomy.
In geometry, a rhomboid is a quadrilateral with opposite sides parallel and equal in length. Unlike a square or a rectangle, the angles of a rhomboid are not right angles. It has two pairs of adjacent sides of equal length, while the opposite angles are also equal. The shape of a rhomboid resembles a slanted rectangle, with its corners not forming 90-degree angles. Due to its properties, a rhomboid is classified as a parallelogram.
In anatomy, the term rhomboid is used to describe a pair of muscles located in the upper back. There are two rhomboid muscles: the rhomboid major and the rhomboid minor. These muscles are situated beneath the trapezius muscle and attach the scapula (shoulder blade) to the spine. The rhomboid muscles are responsible for retracting and stabilizing the scapula, allowing for movements such as pulling the shoulder blades together. They play a crucial role in maintaining proper posture and facilitating various upper body movements.
In summary, rhomboid is a term with distinct definitions depending on the context. In geometry, it refers to a quadrilateral with opposite sides parallel and equal in length, while in anatomy, it denotes a pair of muscles positioned in the upper back responsible for scapular retraction.
-
Rhomboidal, resembling a rhomb, i.e. an oblique parallelogram, but having unequal sides; noting especially a ligament and two muscles.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
-
A four-sided figure having only its opposite sides equal, and its angles not right angles.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for RHOMBOID
Etymology of RHOMBOID
The word "rhomboid" comes from the Greek word "rhombos", which means a lozenge-shaped object or something that is rhombus-like. The term "rhomboid" is derived from this Greek word and was first used in English in the late 17th century to describe a geometrical figure with unequal adjacent sides. Eventually, the term "rhomboid" was also adopted in anatomy to refer to a muscle with a roughly parallelogram shape, resembling a rhombus.
Similar spelling word for RHOMBOID
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
