Habitus
Habitus
Habitus (/hæˈbɪtəs/; from Latin habitus) is a term used in medicine to describe the physical and constitutional characteristics of an individual, including their posture, physique, and the relative proportions of their body parts.
Etymology
The term habitus originates from the Latin word for "condition" or "appearance". It was first used in a medical context by the ancient Romans, who believed that a person's physical characteristics could provide insights into their health and temperament.
Related Terms
- Body Mass Index (BMI): A measure used to determine whether a person has a healthy body weight for their height.
- Phenotype: The observable physical properties of an organism, including appearance, development, and behavior.
- Genotype: The genetic constitution of an individual organism.
- Physiognomy: The assessment of a person's character or personality from their outer appearance, especially the face.
Usage in Medicine
In medicine, the term habitus is often used to describe a patient's general appearance or 'constitution'. This can include factors such as their height, weight, muscle tone, and the distribution of fat on their body. For example, a person with a 'marfanoid habitus' has physical characteristics that are suggestive of Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissue.
Habitus can also refer to the position in which a person naturally holds their body (posture), or the way they move. For example, a 'spastic habitus' refers to a stiff, awkward gait that is often seen in conditions like cerebral palsy or stroke.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Habitus
- Wikipedia's article - Habitus
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