MED 115 - Understanding The Language of Medicine
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F.  Activities and occupations were used to describe anatomical structures according to their characteristic functions. This applies especially to the names of many muscles*:

Term Original Meaning Medical Application
pylorus l/Gr.
adj. pyloric		 gate keeper the exit valve of the stomach which opens or closes depending on the needs of digestion
molar L. molaris = grindstone a tooth for grinding food
levator* L. lifter a muscle that lifts or elevates
flexor* L. bender a muscle that bends an extremity
abductor* L. one that leads away
ab- = away,
duct- = lead		 a muscle that moves an extremity away from the midline of the body
adductor* L. one that leads toward
ad- = to, toward		 a muscle that moves an extremity towards the midline of the body
rotator* L. one that rotates or turns a muscle that turns f. ex. the neck

G.  Certain shapes of anatomical structures could be best described by already existing mathematical terms: (Please see Pertinent Anatomical Illustrations for these Terms)
Term Original Meaning Medical Application
rectus L.
(masculine gender)		 straight    ________ a straight structure; used with a term of masculine gender, the term refers to "musculus rectus" and therefore means a "straight muscle". In general usage the word "musculus" is only implied:
rectus abdominis = a straight muscle of the abdomen; rectus oculi = a straight muscle of the eye (oculus = eye).

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Understanding the Language of Medicine
© Copyright 1999, 2000 Edith S. Mardiat RRA