Minimum vocabulary in Medical Latin for students of Dentistry
Minimum Vocabulary 1 – Anatomical planes, directions
Latin
Meaning in English
directed toward or situated on the belly surface, front side
towards the root tip(s) of a tooth
the surface of a tooth which faces the adjacent tooth
towards the cheeks
positioned toward the tailbone
towards the neck (of a tooth)
towards the crown of a tooth.
positioned toward the head
right side
in the limbs, away from the trunk
positioned toward the back
situated near the outside
the surface of the tooth nearest the face
planes dividing the body into front and back parts.
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
anterior, anterius
apicalis, apicale
approximalis, apicale
buccalis, buccale
caudalis, caudale
cervicalis, cervicale
coronalis, coronale
cranialis, craniale/
dexter, dextra, dextrum
distalis, distale
dorsalis, dorsale
externus, externa, externum
facialis, faciale
(planum)frontale/coronale
(planum) horizontale /
transversal
gingivalis, gingivale
incisalis, incisale
inferior, inferius
(inter)medius, -a, -um
internus, interna, internum
labialis, labiale
lateralis, laterale
lingualis, linguale
medialis, mediale
(planum) mediansagittale
mesialis, mesiale
occlusalis, occlusale
oralis, orale
palatalis, palatale
palmaris, -e / volaris, -e
plantaris, plantare
posterior, posterius
profundus, -a, -um
proximalis, proximale
35
36
37
38
39
40
(planum) sagittale
sinister, sinistra, sinistrum
superficialis, superficiale
superior, superius
ventralis, ventrale
vestibularis, -e
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
planes dividing the body into upper and lower parts
towards the gum
the cutting edge of the anterior teeth, incisors, or canines
lower
in between two other structures
inner or inside
adjacent to the lip, the front side of the front teeth
situated away from the median plane of the body
towards the tongue, the inner surface of the lower teeth
situated toward the midline of the body or a structure
the plane dividing the body into right and left halves
the area of the tooth closest to the midline
towards the biting surface of posterior teeth
the „inner” side of the teeth which faces the oral cavity;
towards the hard palate,
pertaining to the anterior surface of the hand
pertaining to the sole of the foot
positioned toward the back
deep
in the limbs, closer to the trunk
planes parallel to the median plane, dividing the body into left and right
portions.
left side
situated on the surface of the structure
upper
directed toward or situated on the belly surface
the surface of the tooth nearest the area between the teeth and the cheeks
Minimum vocabulary in Medical Latin for students of Dentistry
Minimum Vocabulary 2 – Body parts, basic terms Part 1
Latin
English
1
abdomen, abdominis n.
belly,
2
antebrachium, -ii n.
forearm
3
auris, auris f.
ear
4
axilla, -ae f
armpit
5
brachium, brachii n.
arm
6
bucca, buccae f.
cheek
7
calx, calcis, f.
heel
8
capillus, capilli m.
hair
9
caput, capitis n.
head
10
carpus, carpi m.
wrist
11
cervix, cervicis f.
neck
12
collum, colli n.
neck
13
cor, cordis n
heart
14
corpus, corporis n.
body
15
coxa, coxae f.
hip
16
crus, cruris, n.
lower leg
17
cubitus, cubiti m.
elbow
18
cutis, cutis, f.
skin
19
digitus, digiti m.
finger or toe
20
dorsum, dorsi n.
back
21
extremitas, -tatis f
limb, extremity
22
facies, faciei f.
face, surface
23
femina, ae f
women, female person
24
femur, femoris n.
thigh
25
frons, frontis f.
forehead
26
genu, genus n.
knee
27
gluteus, glutei m
buttock
28
hallux, hallucis m.
big toe
29
hepar, hepatis n
liver
30
homo, hominis m.
man, human
31
index, indicis m.
indexfinger, second f.
32
inguen, inguinis n.
groin
33
lien, lienis m
spleen
34
lumbus, lumbi m.
loin
35
mala, malae f.
cheek
Minimum vocabulary in Medical Latin for students of Dentistry
Minimum Vocabulary 3 – Body parts, basic terms Part 2
Latin
English
1
malleolus, malleoli m.
ankle
2
mamilla, mamillae f.
nipple
3
mamma, mammae f.
breast
4
manus, manus f.
hand
5
membrum, -i n.
limb, extremity
6
mentum, menti n.
chin
7
metacarpus, -carpi m.
middle part of hand
8
metatarsus, -i m.
middle part of foot
9
morbus, morbi m
disease, illness
10
musculus, musculi m.
muscle
11
nasus, nasi m.
nose
12
nucha, nuchae f.
back of neck
13
occiput, occipitis n.
back of head
14
oculus, oculi m.
eye
15
os, oris n.
mouth
16
os, ossis n
bone
17
palma, palmae f.
front side of hand
18
pelvis, pelvis f.
pelvis
19
pes, pedis m.
foot
20
pilus, pili m.
hair of body
21
planta, plantae f.
sole
22
pollex, pollicis m.
thumb
23
pubes, pubis f.
front part of hip bone
24
pulmo, pulmonis m
lung
25
ren, renis m
kidney
26
supercilium, -cilii n.
eyebrows
27
sura, surae f.
calf of leg
28
tarsus, tarsi m.
posterior part of foot
29
tempora, orum n.(plur.)
temple
30
thorax, thoracis m.
chest
31
truncus, trunci m.
trunk, torso
32
umbilicus, umbilici m.
belly button, navel
33
ventriculus, ventriculi m
stomach, ventricle
34
vir, viri m
man, male
35
vola, volae f.
front side of hand, palm
Minimum vocabulary in Medical Latin for students of Dentistry
Minimum Vocabulary 4 – The Skeletal System Part 1
Latin
English
1
atlas, atlantis f.
the 1st cervical vertebra [C1]
2
axis, axis f.
the 2nd cervical vertebra [C2]
3
calcaneus, -ei m.
heel bone
4
clavicula, -ae, f.
collar bone, the anterior bone of the shoulder;
5
columna vertebralis
spinal column consisting of 26 vertebrae
6
costa, costae f.
7
cranium, ii n
rib the twelve pairs of bones forming the chest wall or rib
cage
skull
8
diaphysis, is f
the shaft of a long bone
9
endosteum, i n
the tissue lining the medullary cavity of a bone
10
epiphysis, is f
the articulating end of a long bone
11
femur, femoris, n.
thigh bone
12
fibula, fibulae, f.
the lateral and smaller bone of the leg [L. a clasp]
13
humerus, humeri, m.
arm bone
14
mandibula -ae f.
lower jaw
15
maxilla, -ae f.
upper jaw bones
16
medulla, ae f
marrow, bone marrow
17
orbita, orbitae f.
the cavity for the eyeball, the eye socket
18
os coccygis
the tail bone that is the fusion of four rudimentary vertebrae
at the end of the spine
19
os coxae
hip bone, the three fused bones of the hip
20
os ethmoidale
the sieve-like bone at the cranial base
21
os frontale
the bone at the forehead
22
os hyoideum
a U-shaped bone lying between the mandible and the larynx
23
os ilium
the upper portion of the hip bone
Minimum vocabulary in Medical Latin for students of Dentistry
Minimum Vocabulary 5 –The Skeletal System Part 2
Latin
English
1
os ischii
the inferior portion of the hip
2
os lacrimale
tiny bones at the tear canal of the orbit
3
os nasale
bones of the nose
4
os occipital
the bone at the posterior inferior part of the skull
5
os parietale
bones making up the lateral walls of skull
6
os pubis
pubic bone, the middle, anterior portion of the hip bone
7
os sacrum
the five fused vertebrae between the hip bones on both sides
8
os sphenoidale
the wedge-shaped bone at the base of the skull
9
os temporale
the bones at the temple
10
os zygomaticum
the yoke-shaped cheek bones
11
os, ossis n
bone
12
patella, -ae, f.
knee cap
13
pelvis, pelvis f
the bony ring of the hip bones, sacrum and coccyx
14
periosteum, i n
a thick fibrous membrane covering a bone
15
phalanx, phalangis f
a bone of a finger or toe
16
radius, radii, m.
the lateral and shorter bone of the forearm
17
scapula, scapulae, f.
shoulder blade, the posterior bone of the shoulder
18
skeleton, framework of bones
19
sceletum, i n
sternum, sterni n.
20
talus, tali m.
tha ankle bone, the tarsal bone articulating with the tibia and
fibula in the ankle joint
21
tibia, tibiae, f.
shinbone, the medial and larger bone of the leg
22
ulna, ulnae, f.
the larger, medial bone of the forearm
23
vertebra, -ae f.
a bone of the spinal column
24
vomer, vomeris n;
the bone forming the nasal septum
breast bone, a sword-like bone in the front part of the thorax
Minimum vocabulary in Medical Latin for students of Dentistry
Minimum Vocabulary 6 – Regions of the human body
Latin
English
1
dorsum manus
back of the hand
2
palma manus
front side surface of the hand
3
planta pedis
sole, the bottom of the foot
4
regio axillaris
region at the armpit
5
regio buccalis
region at the cheek
6
regio calcanea
region at the heelbone
7
regiones cervicales
regions of the neck
8
regio epigastrica
9
regio femoris (ant./post.)
region of the upper central part of the abdomen over the
stomach
regions of the thigh (front/back)
10
regio frontalis
region at the forehead
11
regio genus (ant./post.)
regions of the knee (front/back)
12
regio glutea
region at the buttock
13
regio hypochondriaca
region below the costal cartilage
14
regio inframammaria
region below the breast (L. infra-, below)
15
regio infraorbitalis
region below the orbital cavity,
16
regio infrascapularis
region below the shoulder blade
17
regio inguinalis
region at the groin, lateral to the pubic r.
18
regio lumbalis
region at the loin
19
regio mammaria
region at the breast
20
regio mentalis
region at the chin
21
regio nasalis
region at the nose
22
regio occipitalis
region at the back of the head
23
regio oralis
region at the mouth
24
regio pectoralis
region at the upper part of the chest
25
regio scapularis
region at the shoulder blade
26
regio umbilicalis
region at the belly button
27
regio vertebralis
region at the spinal column
28
regio zygomatica
region at the cheek bone of the skull
29
regions of the forearm (front/back)
30
regiones antebrachii
(ant./post.)
regiones brachii (ant./post.)
31
regiones cruris (ant./post.)
regions of lower leg (front/back)
32
regiones cubiti (ant./post.)
regions at the elbow (front/back)
regions of the arm (front/back)
Minimum vocabulary in Medical Latin for students of Dentistry
Minimum Vocabulary 7 – Connections of Bones
Latin
English
1
abductio, onis f
A motion that pulls a structure or part away from the
midline of the body
2
adductio, onis f
A motion that pulls a structure or part toward the midline
of the body.
3
4
articulatio, onis f /
diarthrosis, is f
cartilago, cartilaginis f
synovial joint of bones where there is a gap or cavity
between them
tissue covering articular surfaces of bones
5
circumductio, onis f
Moving a part so that its end follows a circular path
6
dorsalflexio, onis f
upward flexion of foot
7
eversio, onis f
the movement of the sole of the foot away from the
median plane. “turning out”
8
extensio, onis f
a motion that opens the angle at a joint
9
flexio, onis f
a motion that closes the angle at a joint
10
gomphosis, is f
a peg-like connection between the teeth and the jaws
11
inversio, onis f
12
ligamentum, i n
the movement of the sole towards the median plane,
“turning in”
a tissue connecting bones
13
meniscus articularis
crescent shaped cartilage ring, e.g. in knee joint
14
oppositio, onis f
movement of the thumb against the other fingers
15
plantarflexio, onis f
flexion of foot, towards the sole of foot
16
pronatio, onis f
17
repositio, onis f
turning the palm downwards /to the back (into prone
position)
movement of the thumb back to its earlier position
18
rotatio, onis f
rotary movement of a bone around its own axis
19
supinatio, onis f
20
sutura, -ae f
turning the palm upwards/to the front (into supine
position)
suture, connection between skull bones
21
symphysis pubica
connection of pubic bones by cartilage
22
synarthrosis, is f
connection of bones without any gap between them,
allowing no mobility
23
synchondrosis
connection of bones by cartilage
24
syndesmosis, is f
connection of bones by a ligament
25
synostosis, is f
bony union or fusion of bones
26
synovia, ae, f.
synovial fluid lubricating articulating surfaces
Minimum vocabulary in Medical Latin for students of Dentistry
Minimum Vocabulary 8 – The muscular system Part 1
Latin
English
a muscle moving a part away from medial plane
2
abductor, abductoris
m
adductor, adductoris m
3
aponeurosis, is f
flat, wide tendon
4
biceps (bicipitis)
muscle having two heads
5
brevis 2
short
6
contractio, onis f
shortening of the muscle, contraction
7
deltoideus 3
resembling the Greek letter, the delta; triangular
8
depressor, oris m
muscle that lowers a part
9
the muscle separating thoracic and abdominal cavity
10
diaphragma,
diaphragmatis n
extensor, oris m
11
fascia, ae f
sheeth of a muscle, fibrous tissue covering muscles
12
fasciculus, i m
bundle of muscle fibers, fascicle
13
fibra, ae f
a muscle cell, fiber
14
flexor, oris m
muscle that bends or flexes a part, closes the angle
15
gastrocnemius 3
16
gracilis 2
muscle that makes up the belly (G. gastro-) of the leg (G.
kneme)
slender; thin
17
insertio, onis f
18
latissimus 3
an attachement of the muscle that is moved by
contraction
very broad, the broadest
19
latus 3
broad
20
levator, oris m
muscle that raises a part
21
longus 3
long
22
lumbricalis 2
wormlike
23
magnus 3
big, large
24
major, majus
larger; greater
25
masseter, masseteris m
muscle that helps in chewing;
26
maximus 3
largest
27
(inter)medius 3
located in the middle
28
minimus 3
smallest
29
minor, minus
smaller; lesser
30
musculus, i m
muscle
1
a muscle moving a part toward the median plane
muscle that extends a part, opens the angle
Minimum vocabulary in Medical Latin for students of Dentistry
Minimum Vocabulary 9 –The muscular system Part 2
Latin
English
1
obliquus 3
slanting or oblique
2
orbicularis 2
circular
3
origo, originis f
the fixed attachement point of the muscle, origin,
4
parvus 3
small
5
pectineus 3
muscle having origin at pecten ossis pubis
6
peroneus 3
muscle at the fibula
7
piriformis 2
pear-shaped
8
pronator, oris m
muscle that turns the palm downwards or to the back
9
psoa, psoas m
loin, lumbar vertebrae
10
quadratus 3
four sided
11
quadriceps (quadricipitis)
muscle having four heads
12
rectus 3
straight
13
retinaculum, i n
band that keeps tendons in place at the wrist or the ankle
14
risorius 3
muscle that pulls the angle of mouth laterally; (laughter)
15
rotator, oris m
muscle turning the part around its own axis
16
sartorius 3
17
semimembranosus 3
tailor's muscle, muscle that is stretched when a person
sits tailor-fashion
muscle made up partly (L. semi) of membranous tissue
18
semitendinosus
muscle made up partly (L. semi) of tendinous tissue;
19
serratus 3
sawtooth-shaped muscle
20
soleus 3
muscle at the back of leg, related to the sole
21
sphincter, sphincteris, m
muscle that constricts or regulates an opening
22
sternocleido-mastoideus 3
23
subclavius 3
m. attached to the sternum, the clavicle and the mastoid
process of temporal bone
muscle under the clavicle
24
supinator, supinatoris m
muscle that turns the palm upwards or to the front
25
tendo, tendinis m
the tissue attaching a muscle to a bone, tendon
26
teres, (teretis)
long and round shaped, cylindrical
27
transversus 3
lying across
28
triceps, (tricipitis)
muscle having three heads or origins
29
vastus 3
great, vast
30
venter, ventris m.
belly, muscle belly
Minimum vocabulary in Medical Latin for students of Dentistry
Minimum Vocabulary 10 –Mouth and teeth
Latin
1
canalis radicis dentis
the canal for nerves and vessels in the root of a tooth
2
cavitas dentis
cavity in the central portion of the tooth crown
3
cementum, i n
A bonelike substance covering the root of a tooth
4
cervix/collum dentis
neck of a tooth
5
corona dentis
the visible part of a tooth
6
dens, dentis m
tooth
7
dens caninus
8
dens incisivus
the 3rd tooth from the midline of each jaw; also known as
‘eye tooth’;
1st and 2nd teeth
9
dens molaris tertius (sapientiae)
wisdom tooth
10
dentes molares
11
dentes praemolares
posterior 3 teeth with the function of grinding of the
food
2 teeth behind the canine
12
13
dentinum, i n
enamelum, enameli n
the solid middle layer of a tooth
the hardest part of a tooth, covering the crown
14
fauces, isthmus faucium
narrow passage between the oral cavity and the pharynx
15
foramen apicis dentis
aperture on the tip of the root of the teeth
16
frenulum linguae
17
gingiva, gingivae f
18
glandulae salivariae
the fold of mucous membrane under the tongue,
attaching it to the floor of the mouth
gums, the tissue covering the alveolar bone and necks of
the teeth
glands that produce saliva
19
labium inferius
lower lip
20
labium superius
upper lip
21
labium, labii n
lip
22
lingua, linguae f
tongue
23
masticatio, -onis f
the act of chewing
24
os, oris n
mouth
25
palatum durum
the anterior bony palate
26
palatum molle
the posterior soft palate
27
palatum, palati n
the roof of the oral cavity
28
periodontium, ii n
the tissues that support and attach the teeth to the jaw
29
pulpa dentis
the soft tissue forming the inner structure of a tooth
30
radix dentis
root of a tooth, embedded in the jawbone
31
saliva, salivae f
a fluid secreted into the mouth
32
tonsilla palatina
33
uvula, uvulae f
a small mass of lymphoid tissue on either side of the
pharynx
small grape-like structure hanging down from the soft
palate