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

habenula: diminutive of Latin habena = rein.
haemorrhoid: Greek haima = blood, and rhoia = to flow, hence likely to bleed.
hallux: Latin hallex = great toe (hallucis = of the great toe).
hamate: adjective, Latin hamus = a hook, hence, hooked.
hamstrings: the tendons of the muscles of the ham - i.e. of the back of the thigh - felt behind the knee when the leg is flexed against resistance (semimembranosus, semitendinosus and biceps femoris).
hamulus: diminutive of Latin hamus = hook.
haustra: Latin = saccules.
helicine: Greek helix = a coil, spiral.
helicotrema: Greek helix = a coil, and trema = hole, hence the aperture at the apex of the bony cochlea whereby scala vestibuli communicates with scala tympani.
helix: Greek = coil.
hemianopia: Greek hemi = half, an = negative, opsis = vision, hence loss of half of the field of vision.
hemianopsia: Greek hemi = half, an = negative, opsis = vision, hence loss of half of the field of vision.
hemiparesis: Greek hemi = half, paresis = paralysis, used usually to denote weakness rather than paralysis.
hemiplegia: Greek hemi = half, plegia = stroke, hence, paralysis of one half of the body.
hemisphere: Greek hemi = half, sphaira = ball, hence, half of a sphere.
hepar: Greek = liver, adjective - hepatic.
hepatic: adjective, Greek hepar = the liver.
hernia: Latin = a protrusion, adjective - hernial.
hiatus: Latin = a gap (like that between some people's ears).
hilum: Latin = the point of attachment of a seed, hence the part of an organ where the vessels and nerves are attached; adjective - hilar.
hindbrain: the part of the brain below tentorium cerebelli, comprising medulla oblongata, pons and cerebellum.
hip: the lateral prominence of the hip bone and greater trochanter.
hippocampus: Greek hippokampos = a sea-horse, hence, the curled shape of the hippocampus in coronal section; adjective - hippocampal.
homologous: adjective, Greek homos = same, and logos = word, hence a part with similar morphology but different function.
horizontal: adjective - parallel to the horizon.
horn: a projection, often pointed.
humerus: Latin = the arm-bone.
humour: Latin humor = liquid, hence the aqueous and vitreous humour of the eyeball.
hyaline: adjective, Greek hyalos = glassy.
hydrocephalus: Greek hydor = water, koilos = head. (cf. cephalic).
hymen: Greek = membrane; across the virginal vagina.
hyoid: adjective, Greek = U-shaped.
hyperacusis: Greek hyper = over, and akousis = hearing, hence excessive sensitivity to sound.
hypoglossal: adjective, Greek hypo = under, and glossa = tongue.
hypophysis: Greek hypo = down, physis = growth, hence, a downgrowth (from the brain). However, this is not the whole truth. Part is an upgrowth from the pharynx, adjective - hypophysial.
hypothalamus: Greek hypo = under, and thalamus (q.v.), refers to part of diencephalon.