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

basilar: adjective, Latin basis = base.
basilic: adjective, Arabic al-basilik = inner; the basilic vein is on the inner side of the forearm and arm. Previously thought to be of Greek origin, basilikos = royal (king-sized).
biceps: Latin bis = double, and caput = head, hence 2-headed, adjective - bicipital.
bifid: adjective, Latin bis = double, and findo = to split.
bifurcate: Latin bis = double, and furco = fork, hence to divide into two.
bilateral: Latin bi = two, lateral = side, hence, pertaining to two (both) sides.
bipennate: adjective, Latin bis = double, and pinna = feather, hence converging from 2 sides.
body: the main part.
border: see margin.
brachiocephalic: Latin brachium = arm, and Greek kephale = head, hence a blood vessel related to the upper limb and head.
brachium: Latin = arm, adjective - brachial.
branchia: Greek = gills, adjective - branchial.
bregma: from a Greek word implying moist, referring to the site of the anterior fontanelle (q.v.), a little fountain, the site of junction of the coronal and sagittal sutures, where the brain can be felt pulsating in infancy.
brevis: Latin = short - cf. brief.
bronchiole: diminutive of bronchus, hence a small bronchus (bronchi have cartilage in their walls, bronchioles have no cartilage).
bronchus: derivation unhelpful - a branch of the trachea, adjective - bronchial.
buccal: adjective, Latin bucca = cheek.
buccinator: Latin = trumpeter - hence the muscle which blows air out from the cheek under pressure.
bulbus: Latin = bulb or onion.
bulla: Latin = bubble.
bursa: Greek = a purse, hence a flattened sac containing a film of fluid.