Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Richard Owen (1804–1892), comparative anatomist and palaeontologist. From opistho- + ancient Greek κοῖλος hollow + -ian.
Definition of opisthocoelian in US English:
opisthocoelian
adjectiveəˌpɪsθəˈsiːlɪən
Zoology
= opisthocoelous. Also in extended use. Now rare.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Richard Owen (1804–1892), comparative anatomist and palaeontologist. From opistho- + ancient Greek κοῖλος hollow + -ian.