Chiropractic

Supraspinatus is a narrow muscle located on the upper back, part of the rotator cuff that helps lift the arm. It originates above the spine of the scapula and inserts on the greater tubercle of the humerus. Clinically it stabilizes the shoulder joint during movement, especially in initial arm elevation. The term denotes anatomy rather than function in common speech.

Talus is a technical anatomical term referring to the ankle bone that forms the joint between the leg and the foot; in humans, it is the large, central bone of the ankle, articulating with the tibia, fibula, and calcaneus. It is also used in geology to describe a donkey-tail-shaped talus slope of rock debris at the base of a cliff. The word originates from Latin and is used primarily in medical contexts, biomechanics, and anatomy.

Temporal as an adjective mainly refers to time or the timing of events, and in anatomy to the temples on the head. In academic contexts it contrasts with spatial, describing duration, sequence, or timing in processes. It can also denote relation to the temple region in anatomy or to the everyday experience of time. Common phrases include temporal data, temporal sequence, and temporal lobe in neuroscience.

Temporomandibular is an adjective describing the jaw joint region or related structures, especially the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It’s often used in medical or dental contexts to discuss disorders, anatomy, or procedures involving the jaw. The term is lengthy and typically appears in professional writing or clinical discussions rather than casual speech.

Teres is a plural noun of Latin origin rarely used in English, typically appearing in anatomical contexts to refer to flat, rounded anatomical structures or to denote multiple small triangular structures in certain organisms. In modern usage, it can also appear as a proper name. The term is specialized and infrequently encountered outside medical or scholarly texts. It is pronounced with two syllables and a soft initial emphasis, often requiring careful articulation in technical discussions.

Thoracolumbar is an anatomical adjective describing the region spanning the thoracic (upper/mid-back) and lumbar (lower back) spine. It characterizes structures, injuries, or procedures that involve both the thoracic and lumbar areas. The term is commonly used in medical contexts such as imaging, orthopedic planning, and surgical approaches.

Tibia is a long, shinbone in the human leg or in various animals, serving as the main weight-bearing bone of the lower leg. It forms the inner part of the leg between knee and ankle and plays a key role in movement and load transfer. The term also appears in anatomy, dentistry, and zoology contexts, referring specifically to this bone or a bone-like structure in other species.

Trapezius is a broad, upper-back and neck muscle that stabilizes and moves the scapula and head. In anatomy contexts it denotes a paired muscle extending from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic spine and out to the shoulder blade, responsible for movements such as shrugging the shoulders and tilting the head. It’s a technical term used in medical, fitness, and biomechanics discussions.

Ulna is a long, slender bone on the medial side of the forearm, parallel to the radius. It forms the elbow joint with the humerus and the wrist joint with the carpal bones. The term is used in anatomy and clinical contexts to specify this specific forearm bone.

Vertebral is an adjective (and occasionally a noun in anatomical contexts) relating to a vertebra or the spine. In anatomy, it describes anything associated with the bones that form the spinal column, and as a term in medical discourse it appears in discussions of vertebral bodies, foramina, and processes. The term is used across clinical, educational, and research writing to specify spinal-related structures or conditions.

Zygapophyseal is an anatomical adjective describing the joints or facets between the zygapophyses of adjacent vertebrae. It is used in clinical and anatomical contexts to refer to the joints formed by the superior and inferior articular processes. The term emphasizes the articulations along the spine and is typically encountered in advanced medical discourse.

abdominis refers to the abdominal region or a muscle, especially in the scientific naming of abdominal muscles (as in obliquus abdominis or rectus abdominis). In anatomy, terms like abdominis are used as genitive or modifier forms, describing relationships to the abdomen. The word conveys technical, clinical, or educational contexts rather than everyday speech.

abductor (noun): a body part or agent that moves a limb away from the midline; in anatomy, a muscle that abducts a body part. More broadly, any entity that causes separation or withdrawal. The term combines Latin ab- “away” with ducere “to lead.” In common usage, it can describe both physiological muscles and metaphorical agents of removal or evacuation.

Adductor refers to a muscle or structure that draws a part of the body closer to the midline, most commonly a muscle in the inner thigh. In anatomy contexts, it describes any muscle that adducts a limb or organ. The term can also appear in discussions of comparative anatomy or physiology, often paired with abductors to describe opposing actions.

An annulus is a ring-shaped structure or region, often surrounding another part (such as a circular band or a ring-like opening). In anatomy, it denotes the surrounding ring, like the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. The term is used in science and mathematics to describe any circular boundary or perimeter. It conveys a sense of a continuous loop encircling an interior space.

Arachnoiditis is a rare neurological condition characterized by inflammation of the arachnoid mater, one of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can cause chronic pain and neurological symptoms due to scarring and adhesion formation. The term is used in medical contexts and requires precise pronunciation to avoid miscommunication.

Atlantoaxial is an anatomical term describing the joint or region between the atlas (the first cervical vertebra) and the axis (the second cervical vertebra) in the neck. It denotes the pivotal articulation enabling head rotation. The term is used primarily in medical and anatomical contexts and can appear in clinical descriptions and radiology reports.

Atlantooccipital refers to the joint between the atlas (the first cervical vertebra) and the occipital bone at the base of the skull. It describes the articulation that allows nodding and limited tilting of the head. In anatomy, it is used to denote the region surrounding this joint or ligaments associated with it.

Brevis is a multisyllabic term used in linguistics, musicology, and biology to denote brevity or a short duration, or, in anatomy, a short structure. In linguistics it often refers to a short vowel or a diacritic mark indicating shortness. The term can also describe a short form of a word. It signals concise length or a reduced, compact form within a system of symbols or units.

Carpi is a plural noun of Latin origin used in anatomical contexts to denote structures associated with the carpus (wrist bones). In modern clinical or anatomical writing, it appears as a technical term referring to the carpal components or their corresponding muscular or neurovascular elements. The term is rarely used in everyday speech, but you may encounter it in academic or surgical discussions. It’s pronounced with two syllables: CAR-pee, with primary stress on the first syllable.

Cauda is a Latin-derived term used in anatomy and zoology to denote a tail or tail-like structure, such as the cauda equina in the spine or caudal fins in fish. In modern medical and scientific contexts, it often refers to a terminal extension or tail-like continuation. The word carries a formal, technical register and appears in both clinical descriptions and academic writing.

cervicothoracic is an anatomical term describing the region where the cervical (neck) spine meets the thoracic (upper back) spine. It often appears in medical contexts to specify the junction or its movements, like motion or nerve pathways affecting both neck and upper back. The word combines two Latin roots to denote this combined spinal area and its functions.

Degenerative is an adjective describing a process or condition that progressively deteriorates a body part or function. It often relates to diseases or aging where tissue or cells degrade over time, leading to declining capability. The term is frequently used in medical contexts and may appear in research, clinical notes, and discussions of chronic illness or aging-related decline.

Digitorum refers to the fingers or digits, especially in anatomical terms as in the extensor digitorum muscle. It denotes a multi-digit structure or muscle-related context, often used in medical descriptions. The term is derived from Latin roots and frequently appears in scientific naming to specify fingers as opposed to the thumb, with emphasis on the digits of the hand or foot.