Basic Human Anatomy

1-11. NAMES

1-11. NAMES

a. Names are chosen to describe the structure or process as much as possible. An international nomenclature was adopted for anatomy in Paris in 1955. It does not use the names of people for structures. (The single exception is the Achilles tendon at the back of the foot and ankle.)

b. Names are chosen to identify structures properly. Names identify structures according to shape, size, color, function, and/or location. Some examples are:

TRAPEZIUS MUSCLE

TRAPEZIUS = trapezoid (shape)

ADDUCTOR MAGNUS MUSCLE

AD = toward

DUCT = to carry (function)

MAGNUS = very large (size)

ERYTHROCYTE

ERYTHRO = red (color)

CYTE = cell

BICEPS BRACHII MUSCLE

BI = two

CEPS = head (shape)

BRACHII = of the arm (location)

Primary Content Providers: The U. S. Army, The U.S. Navy
Ancillary Content and Online Version: David L. Heiserman
Publisher: SweetHaven Publishing Services