Transverse
Transverse
Transverse (pronounced: trans-verse) is a term used in various fields of medicine to describe an anatomical direction or plane. It is derived from the Latin word "transversus", which means "to turn across".
Definition
In anatomy, the term transverse refers to a plane or direction that runs perpendicular to the long axis of the body, dividing it into superior and inferior parts. This is also known as the horizontal plane. In other words, if the body were standing upright, a transverse cut would result in a top half and a bottom half.
Related Terms
- Anatomical terms of location: This is a broad category of terms used to describe the location of structures in the body. Other terms in this category include anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, proximal, and distal.
- Coronal plane: This is another anatomical plane, which divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.
- Sagittal plane: This is an anatomical plane that divides the body into left and right parts.
- Axial plane: This is another term for the transverse plane, particularly used in radiology.
- Transverse process: This is a bony protrusion on each side of a vertebra, from which muscles and ligaments attach.
Usage in Medicine
In medicine, the term transverse is often used to describe the orientation of images, such as in a transverse view in ultrasound or CT scan. It can also refer to certain structures or conditions, such as a transverse fracture (a fracture line that is perpendicular to the long axis of a bone) or transverse colon (a part of the large intestine that runs horizontally across the abdomen).
Etymology
The term transverse comes from the Latin "transversus", which means "to turn across". It is composed of "trans-" (across) and "-versus" (to turn).
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Transverse
- Wikipedia's article - Transverse
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