Arnold's Glossary of Anatomy

by Dr. M. A. (Toby) Arnold

Modifications & Additions by Deborah Bryce
This anatomical word search engine is dedicated to the memory of Maurice (Toby) Arnold

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V X Z

radiation: Latin radiatus = radiant; hence, divergence from a common centre (cf. radius).
radicle: diminutive of Latin radix = root; hence a small root, adjective - radicular.
radius: Latin = spoke of a wheel, which rotates around the hub; hence, the lateral bone of the forearm, which rotates (though around an almost vertical axis); adjective - radial.
radix: Latin = root.
ramify: Latin ramus = a branch; and facere = to make; hence, to branch.
ramus: Latin = branch; hence, a branch of a nerve.
raphe: Greek a seam; hence, the line of junction of the edges of 2 muscles or areas of skin.
recess: Latin recessus = a secluded area or pocket; hence, a small cavity set apart from a main cavity.
rectum: adjective, Latin rectus = straight. (The rectum was named in animals where it is straight - which it is not in Man).
rectus: Latin rectus = straight.
recurrent: Latin re = back, and currere = to run; hence a structure that bends, and runs back toward its source.
reflex: an involuntary response - muscular or secretory - to a stimulus mediated by the central nervous system.
renal: adjective, Latin ren = kidney.
rete: Latin = a net; hence, a network of veins or tubules.
reticular: adjective, Latin reticulum = small net; hence having a network.
reticulum: diminutive of Latin rete = net; adjective - reticular.
retina: derivation uncertain - the innermost of the 3 layers of the eyeball.
retinaculum: Latin = a tether; hence, a thickened band of deep fascia which retains tendons or the patella.
retract: Latin re = back, and tractum = pulled; hence, to pull something back, and retraction - the act of retracting.
retro: prefix - Latin = backwards.
retroflexion: Latin retro = backwards, and flexion = bent; hence, the position of being bent backwards, applied to the angulation of the body of the uterus on the cervix.
retroversion: Latin retro = backwards, and version = turned; hence, the position of being turned backwards, applied to the angulation of the cervix uteri on the vagina.
rhinencephalon: Greek rhinion = nostril, and enkephalos = brain; hence, the part of the brain concerned with smell (relatively large in lower animals).
rhombencephalon: Greek rhombos = rhomboid, and enkephalos = brain; hence, the hind-brain - the medulla oblongata, pons and cerebellum, which enclose the rhomboid fossa (the floor of the 4th ventricle).
rhomboid: Greek rhombus = a figure with 4 equal sides, not at right angles, and eidos = shape or form, hence, the shape of a rhombus.
rima: Latin = chink; hence, e.g., rima palpebrarum = the chink between the free edges of the eyelids.
risorius: Latin risor = scoffer; hence, muscle risorius is the facial muscle which expresses laughter by drawing the corner of the mouth laterally.
rostral: adjective, Latin rostrum = beak, implying nearness to the corpus callosum.
rostrum: Latin beak, which decorated the Roman orator's platform; hence, a platform or beak-like structure; adjective - rostral.
rotate: Latin rota = wheel; hence, to turn, and rotation, the act of turning.
rotundum: Latin rotnudus = round.
rubro: prefix, Latin rubrum = red.
ruga: Latin = a wrinkle.
rugose: adjective, Latin ruga = a wrinkle, hence, wrinkled.