#astragalo

• Astragalo- — A neologistic combining form (prefixoid) used in international medical and anatomical terminology to build structural compound terms meaning 'relating to the astragalus' (the talus bone of the ankle) or 'linked to the talar region'. It serves as a morpho-semantic link in describing ligaments, joints, or surgical procedures near the hindfoot.
• Astragaloid — Resembling the shape or structure of an astragalus (the short ankle bone); an anatomical element, bony prominence, or biological structure that presents an irregular cuboid or convex appearance similar to the talus bone. As a noun, in historical or comparative writings, it denoted a small piece or a rudimentarily crafted bone used for structural purposes similar to ancient dice.
• Astragaloscopy — An ancient divinatory practice (astragalomancy) that consisted of predicting the future or interpreting the will of the gods by throwing and examining the position of animal ankle bones (astragali), used as primitive dice. This structural method of divination was highly widespread in Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and Asia Minor, being verified by numerous artifacts discovered in archaeological sites and sanctuaries.