Chiropractic

Iliocostalis is a deep back muscle group (part of the erector spinae). In anatomy, the term designates one of the three iliocostalis muscles that extend from the ilium to the ribs, helping to straighten and rotate the spine. It’s a specialized, technical noun used chiefly in medical or detailed anatomical contexts.

Iliopsoas is a deep hip flexor muscle group consisting of the iliacus and psoas major. It originates from the pelvis and lumbar spine and inserts into the femur, enabling hip flexion and trunk stabilization. In anatomy and movement contexts, it’s central to activities like lifting the leg and maintaining upright posture. It is often discussed in medical, sports, and anatomy training settings.

Ilium is a medical/anatomical term denoting the uppermost and largest part of the hip bone (os coxae). It forms the superior and anterior portion of the pelvis, and serves as the major point of muscle attachment. In anatomy discussions, ilium contrasts with the ischium and pubis, which together comprise the hip bone. The word is pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable: ˈɪliəm.

Infraspinatus is a thick, triangular rotator cuff muscle located on the posterior scapula, beneath the spine of the scapula. It assists in lateral rotation of the arm and stabilizes the shoulder joint. In anatomy contexts, it’s a precise term used for medical discussion and muscle identification.

Intervertebral is an adjective describing anything situated or occurring between adjacent vertebrae of the spine. It is used mainly in medical contexts to refer to structures, spaces, or discs located between vertebral bones.

Ischium is a paired pelvic bone forming the lower and posterior part of the hip. In anatomy, it’s the sit-bone area, contributing to the acetabulum and obturator foramen. The term denotes a specific bone, not a general region, and appears in medical contexts, anatomy discussions, and clinical descriptions.

Kyphosis is a medical term describing an excessive forward rounding of the spine, typically in the thoracic region. It denotes a curvature that can be structural or functional and may affect posture and comfort. The word is used mainly in clinical contexts and medical discussions about spinal health, posture assessment, and orthopedic treatment.

Lacrimal is an adjective describing anything related to tears or tear production, especially the lacrimal apparatus in the eye. In medical and anatomical contexts it often refers to tear glands or tear ducts. The term is used in precise, technical language and appears in ophthalmology and anatomy discussions.

Levator is a noun referring to a muscle or structure that raises a part of the body, especially in anatomical contexts. In anatomy, levator muscles include the levator palpebrae superioris (eyelid elevator) and levator ani (pelvic floor elevating muscle). The term can also appear in broader anatomical discussions as a generic “elevator” muscle. The word is used mainly in scientific or medical language rather than everyday speech.

Magnus is a masculine given name of Latin origin, used historically for individuals of distinction and in modern times for various namesakes. It denotes strength and greatness and has been adopted across cultures, often retaining a stately, formal tone in usage. In context, it can refer to a person, a brand, or fictional character, with pronunciation that emphasizes the first syllable and a clear final 's'.

Major is an adjective used to indicate greater size, importance, or extent, or to refer to a rank, scale, or degree. It can describe something principal or of greater significance, or denote a higher tier in a system (e.g., major chord, major league). In casual speech, it often adds emphasis or scope to the noun it modifies.

Mandible is the jawbone that forms your lower jaw, supporting teeth and enabling chewing and speaking motions. In anatomy and medicine, it refers specifically to this singular bone, which connects with the skull at the temporomandibular joints. The term is used in clinical descriptions, surgical planning, and educational contexts to distinguish the lower jaw from the maxilla (upper jaw).

Mater is a singular noun used to refer to a mother in informal or affectionate addresses. In some contexts it can be used humorously or colloquially to denote motherhood or maternal status. The term is common in casual speech and writing, and may appear in dialectal or familial phrases.

Maxilla (plural maxillae) is the upper jawbone forming the central facial skeleton, holding the upper teeth and forming parts of the eye sockets, nasal cavity, and palate. In anatomy and medicine, it denotes one of the paired facial bones, contributing to facial structure and dental alignment. The term is used in clinical contexts and anatomy coursework.

Minor is an adjective describing something of lesser importance or size. It also refers to a secondary role or degree in law, music, or education. The term often contrasts with major to indicate lesser significance, priority, or extent, and it can function in contexts ranging from everyday conversation to formal classifications.

Myelopathy is a neurological condition resulting from spinal cord dysfunction, often due to compression, injury, or disease. It affects motor and sensory pathways, causing weakness, numbness, or coordination problems below the level of the lesion. The term combines root elements meaning 'spinal cord' and 'disease' or 'disorder.'

Nasal is an adjective describing a sound produced with air flowing through the nose, typically due to the velum being lowered. In linguistics and medicine it also refers to structures related to the nose. The term can describe tones or vowels that are nasalized, or to conditions like nasal obstruction affecting resonance. The pronunciation-related sense is common in phonetics, speech pathology, and singer/actor coaching.

Navicular is a noun referring to a small boat-shaped bone in the wrist (navicular bone) or, in anatomy, a well-defined bone in the foot. The term is used mainly in medical and anatomical contexts and can also describe anything boat-shaped. It is a technical word often encountered in clinical descriptions and anatomical discussions.

Nucleus is the central and most important part of something, around which other elements are organized or gathered. In biology, it refers to the membrane-bound structure within a cell that houses genetic material. In physics or chemistry, it denotes the central core of an atom. The term also carries metaphorical weight as the core or heart of a system or idea.

Oblique is an adjective describing something not straight or level; it can also mean indirect or slanting in direction or position. In geometry, oblique lines are those not perpendicular to a reference, and in everyday use it conveys indirectness or something at an angle rather than direct. The term emphasizes deviation from a straight, horizontal, or vertical course.

Occipital is an adjective and sometimes a noun relating to the back part of the skull or the occipital bone, as in occipital nerves or the occipital region. In anatomy, it designates structures or functions located at the posterior base of the skull, typically involved in visual processing and head orientation. The term is used in clinical and academic contexts, often paired with terms like lobe, bone, and muscle.

Parietal is an adjective used in anatomy and related fields to describe structures forming the outer wall of a body cavity or organ, or relating to the parietal bones of the skull. In more general contexts it can refer to the sides and upper parts of a structure, especially in regions near the skull. The term emphasizes a boundary or outer-facing aspect rather than internal content.

Pectoralis is a plural noun referring to any of the chest muscles, most often the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor. In anatomy contexts it designates the muscle group located on the upper chest, involved in arm movement and shoulder stabilization. In clinical or sports settings, it’s used when describing muscle anatomy, injury, or function.

Pelvis is the bony structure formed by the hip bones and sacrum that supports the trunk and forms the pelvic cavity. In anatomy contexts it refers to the region bounded by the iliac crests, and in everyday use it often means the pelvis area or pelvic bones collectively. The term is used in medical, fitness, and educational discussions about posture, movement, and reproduction.