Hamates

/ˈhæm.eɪts/ noun

Definition

Plural of hamate; multiple hamate bones or hook-shaped anatomical structures, though typically there is only one hamate bone per hand.

Etymology

Simple plural of hamate, formed by adding the standard English plural suffix -s to the Latin-derived singular form.

Kelly Says

While 'hamates' is the grammatically correct plural, in actual medical practice you almost never see it used because each wrist has only one hamate bone—it's like having a plural for 'spine'!

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