Chiropractic

Cartilage is a resilient, semi-rigid connective tissue found in joints and certain structures of the body. It cushions, supports, and shapes areas such as the ears, nose, and between bones, while remaining more flexible than bone. Its matrix consists of collagen fibers embedded in a gel-like ground substance, enabling smooth movement and load distribution.

Clavicle is the slender, S-shaped bone that runs horizontally between the sternum and shoulder, acting as a strut to keep the arm away from the torso. It forms part of the pectoral girdle and helps transmit movement and force from the arm to the axial skeleton. In everyday speech, it’s a technical term often used in anatomy and medical contexts.

Coccyx is the small, triangular bone at the base of the spine formed by fused vertebrae. It serves as an attachment point for ligaments, muscles, and tendons and is commonly referred to as the tailbone. In medical contexts it’s important in discussions of posture, lower back pain, and sacral anatomy.

Concha, as a noun, has multiple specialized meanings (anatomy: a shell-like structure; music: a term for a percussive shell or rhythmic sound; in Spanish, it can mean shell). In medical or anatomical contexts, it refers to a cavity or projecting part resembling a shell. In everyday Spanish, it’s a common noun for 'shell' and in some Latin American dialects, can appear in proper names. The term is used across disciplines with precise, context-driven pronunciation.

Cuboid (noun): a solid rectangular prism with six rectangular faces, notably in geometry and design contexts. The term often appears in mathematics, architecture, and 3D modeling discussions. It emphasizes a box-like form where all angles are right angles, and opposite faces are parallel.

Cuneiform is an early system of writing used in the ancient Near East, notably by the Sumerians. It comprises wedge-shaped marks impressed into clay, forming signs that represent syllables or words. The term designates both the script and its origin, reflecting a historical method of recording language long before alphabetic writing.

Deltoid is an adjective used chiefly in anatomy to describe the shoulder region shaped like a triangular deltoid muscle. It can also refer to anything resembling this triangle, bearing the sense of broad, angulated, or shield-like form. In clinical contexts, deltoid describes the deltoid region and its muscles, often as a descriptor for injection sites or muscular development.

Ethmoid is a delicate, pyramidal bone forming part of the nasal cavity and the orbits, situated between the sphenoid and nasal bones. It contributes to the ethmoidal labyrinth and cribriform plate, and its pronounced complexity makes it a challenging term for medical and dental contexts. Use precise articulation to distinguish it from similar skull-base terms.

Foraminal is an adjective describing an anatomical passage or opening, typically relating to a foramen through which nerves or vessels pass. It denotes structures associated with openings or foramina, highlighting their architectural or functional characteristics. Use in medical or anatomical contexts when referring to the features or relationships of openings in bone or tissue.

Gastrocnemius is a paired calf muscle that runs from the femur to the Achilles tendon, enabling plantarflexion of the foot. It’s a key contributor to jumping and running, often acting with the soleus. As a technical anatomical term, it’s used in medical, sports science, and physiology contexts.

Humerus is the long bone of the upper arm, extending from the shoulder to the elbow. It articulates with the scapula at the shoulder and with the radius and ulna at the elbow, forming the arm’s principal structure. In anatomy contexts it’s a common term in clinical and educational discussions.

Hyoid is an abbreviation-adjective used in anatomy to describe a bone or structure related to the hyoid bone or region. In broader, non-medical contexts, it’s used to describe anything resembling or associated with the hyoid area. It is a specialist term, often encountered in medical discussions or advanced anatomical descriptions.

Iliacus is a medical noun referring to a broad, flat muscle of the pelvic region that together with the psoas major forms the iliopsoas group. It originates from the ilium and functions mainly to flex the hip and stabilize the pelvis. In anatomical discussion, iliacus is cited alongside neighboring muscles and often described in clinical contexts and anatomy education.