n, pl  cru*ra   1  :  the part of the hind limb between the femur or thigh and the ankle or tarsus  :  SHANK  2  :  any of various anatomical parts likened to a leg or to a pair of legs: as  a  :  either of the diverging proximal ends of the corpora cavernosa  b  :  the tendinous attachments of the diaphragm to the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae forming the sides of the aortic opening - often used in pl.  c  crura, pl :  the peduncles of the cerebrum - called also crura cerebri   d  crura, pl :  the peduncles of the cerebellum  e  crura, pl :  the posterior pillars of the fornix - called also crura fornicis   f (1) :  a long bony process of the incus that articulates with the stapes : also  :  a shorter one projecting from the body of the incus perpendicular to this (2) :  either of the two bony processes forming the sides of the arch of the stapes .
 
   
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2024.