Levykepään

Levykepään is a Finnish term that translates to "disc head" or "plate head." It most commonly refers to the articular surface of a bone that is shaped like a flattened disc or plate. This morphology is often adapted for articulation with a similarly shaped or complementary surface on an adjacent bone, allowing for a gliding or sliding type of movement.

Examples of structures that can be described as levykepään include certain parts of the vertebral column, where the flattened superior and inferior surfaces of vertebral bodies articulate with intervertebral discs, or specific joint surfaces in the limbs. The term highlights the characteristic shape of the bone's end, emphasizing its role in joint formation and function. The smooth, often cartilaginous surface of a levykepään facilitates low-friction movement between bones, contributing to the overall mobility of the skeletal system. The specific context in which levykepään is used will determine the precise anatomical location and the biomechanical implications of this bony feature.