Chiropractic

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.

Maximus is a Latin-derived term meaning 'the greatest' or 'largest,' often used as a proper noun or epithet in Roman history and modern branding. In contemporary usage it conveys superiority or maximal degree in descriptive phrases. The word has been adopted across languages and contexts to imply peak strength, status, or intensity.

Medius is a Latin-derived term used in anatomical and biomedical contexts to denote the middle position or structure. In modern usage, it appears in phrases like “medius muscle” or descriptors such as the medius aspect, indicating centrality or intermediate positioning. Its pronunciation follows Latin phonotactics, with careful attention to vowel clarity and final syllable stress.

Metatarsal refers to any of the five long bones in the midfoot that connect the ankle to the toes. The term is used in anatomy and medicine to describe these bones and their injuries or articulations. In practice, it names the region rather than a single bone, emphasizing the metatarsal group as a unit in foot structure and biomechanics.

Minimus refers to the smallest, or least, in size or amount; in biology it can denote the smallest muscle or element in a system. In math or science discourse it’s used to describe the minimal or least significant component. The term combines Latin roots and is used across disciplines to indicate smallness or minimality in a precise, often comparative, sense.

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.

Multifidus is a small, deep muscle (or muscle group) of the back that stabilizes the spine during movement. It runs along the vertebral column, attaching to lumbar, thoracic, and cervical segments, and works in coordination with other paraspinal muscles to maintain posture and control rotational and lateral spinal movements. It is a technical anatomical term used mainly in medical, physiotherapy, and anatomical contexts.

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.

Palatine (adj. or n.) relates to the palate or a palatine region; in anatomy it refers to the palate, and in historical contexts it can denote Palatine counties or Latin-derived terms. The word is used in specialized biology, anatomy, and heraldry/historical references. It is usually pronounced with two primary syllables, stressing the first in many uses, and can function as an adjective or a noun in different domains.

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.