The plural of sacral is sacrals.
When used as a noun, sacral refers specifically to any of the sacral bones that constitute the sacrum, a triangular bone at the base of the spine. While commonly used as an adjective, when referring to these individual bones, the plural form is indeed sacrals.
Understanding "Sacral"
The term "sacral" primarily functions as an adjective in anatomy and medicine, describing something related to the sacrum or the sacral region of the body. For instance, one might refer to a "sacral nerve" or "sacral pain."
However, in specific contexts, "sacral" can also be used as a noun to denote the individual bones that fuse together to form the sacrum during development.
The Plural Form: Sacrals
When referring to more than one of these individual bones, the correct plural form is sacrals. This usage is consistent with many anatomical terms where an adjective can also serve as a noun.
Examples in Context
Here are a few ways "sacrals" might be used:
- Developmental Anatomy: "During early development, the five individual sacrals gradually fuse to form the single sacrum."
- Comparative Anatomy: "Examining the fossil record, researchers noted variations in the number of unfused sacrals among different primate species."
- Clinical Discussion: "The radiograph showed a congenital anomaly where two of the superior sacrals had not completely fused."
Adjectival Usage vs. Noun Usage
It's important to distinguish between the common adjectival use and the less frequent noun use of "sacral" when considering its plural.
| Word Type | Singular Form | Plural Form | Example (Singular) | Example (Plural) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjective | sacral | N/A (modifies a plural noun) | sacral plexus | sacral plexuses |
| Noun (referring to a bone) | sacral | sacrals | one individual sacral | multiple sacrals |
While you'll most often encounter "sacral" modifying another noun (e.g., "sacral vertebrae"), its use as a noun, particularly in the plural "sacrals," is accurate when referring to the component bones of the sacrum.
Related Anatomical Terms
Understanding "sacral" is often linked to other key anatomical terms:
- Sacrum: The large, triangular bone at the base of the spine, formed by the fusion of typically five sacral vertebrae (or sacrals).
- Coccyx: Often referred to as the tailbone, it is located inferior to the sacrum.
- Vertebrae: The individual bones that make up the spinal column, including lumbar, thoracic, cervical, and sacral vertebrae.
