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

obex: Latin = barrier; hence, the coronal fold of ependyma over the lower angle of the 4th ventricle.
oblique: adjective, Latin obliquus; slanting, or deviating from the perpendicular or the horizontal.
oblongata: Latin oblongus = oblong; medulla oblongata.
obturator: Latin obturatus = stopped up; hence, a structure which closes a hole.
occiput: Latin ob = prominent (cf. obvious), and caput = head; hence, the prominent convexity of the back of the head; adjective - occipital.
occlusion: Latin occlusum = closed up; hence, apposition of reciprocal teeth, or the blocking of any tubular structure; adjective - occlusal.
oculomotor: Latin oculus = eye, and movere = to move, hence, pertaining to moving the eye.
oculus: Latin = eye.
odontoid: Greek odous = tooth, and eidos = form, shape, hence, tooth-like.
oesophagus: Greek = gullet (passage from pharynx to stomach); adjective - oesophageal.
olecranon: Greek olene = ulna, and kranion = upper part of head; hence, the upper end of the ulna.
olfactory: adjective, Latin olfacto = smell.
olive: Latin oliva - the oval fruit of the olive tree; oval eminence on medulla oblongata; adjective - olivary.
omentum: Latin = apron; adjective - omental.
omohyoid: Greek omos = shoulder; hence, a muscle attached to the scapula and hyoid.
operculum: Latin = lid or cover; hence, operculum insulae, the cerebral cortex covering and hiding the insula (the 5th lobe of cerebral cortex).
ophthalmic: adjective, Greek ophthalmos = eye.
opponens: Latin = placing against, opposing.
oppose: Latin oppositum = put against; hence, to resist or place in contact with, and opposition - the action of opposing.
optic: adjective, Greek optos = seen; hence, pertaining to sight.
ora: Latin ora = margin or edge.
ora serrata: Latin ora = margin, and serra = saw; hence, the serrated anterior edge of the functional part of the retina.
oral: Latin oris = a mouth, hence, pertaining to the mouth.
orbit: Latin orbis = circle; the name given to the bony socket in which the eyeball rotates; adjective - orbital.
orifice: Latin orificium = opening.
os, oris: Latin os = mouth; plural - ora, adjective - oral.
os, ossis: Latin os = bone; plural - ossa, adjective - osseous.
ossicle: Latin ossiculus, diminutive of os = bone.
ossify: Latin os = bone, and facio = make; hence, to form bone; and ossification, the process of bone formation.
osteology: Greek osteon = bone, and logy = a field of study.
ostium: Latin = a door, an opening, an orifice.
otic: adjective, Greek otos = ear.
otolith: Greek otos = ear, and lithos = stone; hence, calcareous particles in the utricle and saccule of the membranous labyrinth.
ovary: Latin ovum = egg; hence, the organ containing ova (the largest cells in the female).
ovum: Latin = egg, plural - ova.