What Does astragalus Mean
The etymology of astragalus leads us to the Latin word astragălus , in turn derived from the Greek astragalus . The term is used in anatomy , architecture , botany, and the military .
At the anatomical level, one of the bones that makes up the tarsus is known as the talus . The tarsus, meanwhile, is the set of seven bone pieces found in each hind limb, located between the metatarsal bones and the leg.
The talus, also referred to as cheetah or taba , is located in the ankle area and articulates with the tibia and fibula . It is a short bone that allows the foot to join the leg.
The talus is located in the tarsus.
Unlike the rest of the bones, the talus lacks muscular attachment. It has a head , neck and body and it is possible to distinguish six faces on it.
Injuries to the talus
The body of the talus is its most posterior and voluminous sector. In this part, various cartilaginous damage can occur , either due to acute trauma or minor repetitive trauma.
These injuries , which can cause discomfort when traveling to disabling pain, are diagnosed through X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. Treatment can be surgical or simply require the use of templates.
The fracture of the talus , moreover, can occur in the body, neck or head of the bone. It is usually diagnosed with an x-ray and can be treated with surgery or conservatively.
The taba game
It is important to mention that, so far, in this article we are referring to astragalus in humans . This bone, however, is present in other species.
The talus of certain animals is used for the development of the game of taba . In general, the lamb's talus is used , which is thrown on a table or on the floor as if it were a dice .
The game consists of trying to guess which side of the talus or taba will be facing up after the launch. The usual thing is that units or chips are wagered that are won if the protruding parts of the talus are exposed, while they are lost if the sunken parts remain on the upper side.
Classic columns usually have a talus.
Astragalus in architecture
In the field of architecture , the talus is the ring that represents the beginning of the capital , surrounding the shaft of the column . It is an element of the decoration that usually consists of two discs.
The talus are part of the classical columns . Its use was frequent in the Ionic and Doric orders , giving rise to a unity with the capital as it became the lower region of its drum.
The tragacanth, a shrub native to Asia
The dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) mentions that astragalus can be used as a synonym for tragacanth . This is the name of a shrub that can be up to two meters tall with whitish flowers.
A gum known as gum tragacanth flows from the branches and trunk of the talus . This rubber has various industrial uses.
Note, finally, that calls to a talus also ornamentation exhibiting, in ancient times, certain pieces of artillery . It was a cord that was located between two fillets.