American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

Which term is used to describe something related to the coccyx?

1. Coccygeal

2. Crucial

3. Cervical

4. Cardiac

The correct answer is: Coccygeal

The term that describes something related to the coccyx is coccygeal. The coccyx, commonly known as the tailbone, is the small bone located at the base of the vertebral column. The terminology is derived from the Greek word "coccyx," which means "cuckoo," due to its resemblance to the shape of a cuckoo's beak. Thus, coccygeal is the anatomical descriptor that pertains specifically to this area of the body. Other options refer to different anatomical regions or systems: crucial refers to something that is critical or essential but does not pertain to anatomy; cervical relates to the neck region or cervical vertebrae; and cardiac pertains to the heart. Therefore, coccygeal is the precise term for anything concerning the coccyx.