Finbone

/ˈfɪnboʊn/ noun

Definition

The skeletal structure supporting a fish's fin; a bone in a whale's flipper; the supporting structure of any fin.

Etymology

From fin plus bone; a compound English word describing the physical anatomy of fins. Used in both ichthyology and marine biology.

Kelly Says

Whale finbones are actually fingers—whales evolved from land mammals, so their flippers contain the same bones as your hand, reminding us we're cousins under the skin.

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