Chiropractic

A protrusion is something that juts outward from a surface or body, forming a noticeable part that extends beyond its surrounding area. It can be a physical bump, lump, or any outward projection. The term is often used in biology, anatomy, engineering, and everyday description to indicate an outward extension that alters surface contour.

Psoas is a deep-seated, paired hip flexor muscle essential for lifting the thigh and stabilizing the spine. As a medical term used in anatomy, it often appears in clinical and fitness contexts. The word denotes the major muscle group running from the lumbar spine to the femur, with both psoas major and psoas minor variants commonly referenced in anatomy. (2-4 sentences, 50-80 words)

Pubis is one of the paired pubic bones forming the anterior part of the pelvis. In anatomy contexts it refers specifically to the horizontal front portion of the hip bones (pubic body) and the nearby structures. The term is used in medical descriptions and discussions of pelvic structure and alignment.

Pulposus is a noun referring to the inner, gelatinous core of intervertebral discs, composed mainly of water and mucopolysaccharides. It is the central, semifluid region that provides cushioning between vertebrae. In anatomy, it contrasts with the surrounding fibrous annulus fibrosus and plays a key role in spinal flexibility and load distribution.

Quadratus is a Latin-derived term used in anatomy and biology to denote a square-like shape or muscle. In anatomy, it refers to several muscles (e.g., quadratus lumborum) that have a rectangular, square-like configuration. The word has been adopted into scientific nomenclature across languages, retaining its original sense of “four-sided.”

Radialis is a Latin-derived term used in anatomy to denote a structure relating to the radius, typically on the thumb-side of the forearm or arm. In scientific naming, it often appears in muscle or nerve names (e.g., abductor pollicis longus radialis group). The word’s pronunciation stays consistent across scientific contexts and languages, guiding precise identification in clinical and academic settings.

Radiculopathy is a medical condition caused by compression or irritation of a spinal nerve root, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness along the path of the affected nerve. It typically affects the arms or legs and can result from herniated discs, degenerative changes, or spinal stenosis. The term emphasizes a nerve-root origin rather than a peripheral nerve disorder.

Radius is a noun meaning a line segment from the center of a circle or sphere to any point on its circumference, or the corresponding distance. It also appears in anatomy as a forearm bone. The term encompasses geometric, mathematical, and anatomical senses, and is used in contexts ranging from geometry proofs to medical descriptions.

Rectus is a Latin adjective meaning straight or right-angled, often used in anatomy to describe parallel or straight muscles. In biology and medicine, it denotes a muscle arranged parallel to the body's midline. The term is used across disciplines, including anatomy (rectus abdominis), ophthalmology (rectus muscles of the eye), and general descriptive language to indicate straight alignment.

Rhomboideus refers to a rhomboid-shaped muscle or structure, especially the rhomboideus major and rhomboideus minor in anatomy. The term conveys a diamond-like shape and is used to describe muscular anatomy or related anatomical features. It is a technical word common in medical, veterinary, and anatomical contexts and is pronounced with multiple syllables and stress on the antepenultimate or penultimate depending on usage in Latin-root terminology.

Rotatores refer to small muscles located in the back that rotate and stabilize the spine. In anatomy, the term typically denotes multiple rotator muscles, often identified by region (e.g., rotatores longi, rotatores breves). The word combines Latin roots, and in medical contexts it appears in descriptions of deep spinal architecture and proprioceptive function.

Sacr is a root fragment and not a standalone English word; in linguistic and orthographic contexts it often appears as part of larger terms (e.g., sacr-, sacramental). It conveys notions related to sacred or holy origins in its morphophonemic role. In pronunciation guidance here, we treat sacr as a stem fragment and focus on its phonetic realization when isolated or encountered within compounds, noting that its articulation can be influenced by surrounding vowels and morpheme boundaries.

Sacroiliac refers to the joint between the sacrum and ilium in the pelvis, or to the region containing that joint. It is typically described as an anatomical term used in medical contexts. The word denotes relating to the sacroiliac area and muscles or ligaments associated with it, and appears in clinical discussions of pelvic stability and lower back pain.

Sacrum is a triangular bone at the base of the spine formed by the fusion of five sacral vertebrae. It articulates with the ilium at the sacroiliac joints and supports the pelvic girdle. In anatomy discussions, sacrum is a precise, technical term used to reference this specific bone in the vertebral column.

Scapula is the flat, roughly triangular bone forming the back part of the shoulder girdle, connecting the upper arm bone to the rib cage via muscles. It serves as the anchor for shoulder motion and muscle attachments. The term specifically denotes the shoulder blade used in anatomy and medical contexts.

Scapulae is the plural of scapula, the shoulder blade bones. In anatomy, it refers to the two shoulder blades, each a flat, triangular bone forming part of the shoulder girdle. The term is used in medical and educational contexts and is pronounced with two syllables, emphasis on the first: SCAP-u-lae.

Scoliosis is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, often forming an S- or C-shaped curve. It can affect posture, appearance, and sometimes breathing and back pain, depending on severity. The term is used in medical, educational, and patient contexts to describe this spinal deformity.

Semispinalis is a deep, paired muscle of the back that extends the spine and rotates the head and neck. It spans several vertebrae, connecting the transverse processes to the occipital bone and upper thoracic vertebrae, contributing to posture and spinal stability. In anatomy contexts, it is often discussed alongside the transversospinalis group. The term is used mainly in clinical and educational settings.

Soleus is a muscle located deep in the calf, primarily involved in plantarflexion of the ankle and stabilizing the leg during standing and walking. As a deep posterior compartment muscle, it works continuously to support posture, especially when the knee is extended. It is often studied alongside the gastrocnemius in anatomy and biomechanics contexts.