Is it ‘Homoplato‘ or ‘Omóplato’? The Truth About the SEP typo and the Scapula
Are you searching for ‘homoplato’? It’s a very common mistake, and even the SEP (Mexico’s Secretariat of Public Education) has made it in its textbooks! The correct term for that bone in the back is omóplato (without the ‘h’).
Here, we’ll explain why this confusion exists, what the omóplato is, and how to avoid this spelling error.
Table of Contents
Omóplato: The True Shoulder Blade of the Back
The omóplato is the flat, triangular bone in the upper back, behind the shoulder. It’s also known as the scapula, or colloquially as the “shoulder blade” or “chicken wing bone.”
Its function is to connect the arm to the torso, allowing for shoulder mobility. It’s a key part of human anatomy.
And it’s spelled without an initial ‘h’.
The word ‘omóplato’ comes from the Greek ‘omos’ (shoulder) and ‘platys’ (wide/flat), hence its meaning. You can look it up in the RAE dictionary.
The SEP’s Error: When ‘Homoplato’ Slipped into Textbooks
It’s a verifiable fact that the term “homoplato” appeared with an ‘h’ in some free textbooks from Mexico’s Secretariat of Public Education (SEP), specifically in the Third Grade Natural Sciences textbook, Block I, page 14 (in certain editions). I even took a picture of it.
This error caused confusion and was widely pointed out, as the correct and recognized form in anatomy and the Spanish language is “omóplato.” These kinds of mistakes highlight the importance of careful review in educational materials.
Similar Words That Do Exist
Although “homoplato” is not a valid word, the prefix “homo-” (meaning ‘same’ or ‘similar’) is used in many other correct words. For example:
- Homonym: Words that sound or are spelled the same but have different meanings (e.g., “hi” and “high”).
- Homogeneous: Having the same nature or composition.
It’s important to differentiate these valid words from the error “homoplato” when referring to the scapula.
If this article helped clarify the confusion between “homoplato” and “omóplato,” consider sharing it on your social media!
Hashtag: #OmoplatoNotHomoplato
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