1
Adenoid
Tonsilla pharyngea
A mass of lymphoid tissue at the back of the nasal cavity that helps catch inhaled germs in childhood.
This is the full body parts index — 141 detailed body parts, each with its own profile. Click any name to open the full entry.
For body parts, every profile covers body system, location, function, and scientific name.
All Body Parts
2
Adrenal Gland
Glandula suprarenalis
A small endocrine gland on top of each kidney that produces stress hormones, mineralocorticoids, and small amounts of sex hormones.
3
Alveoli
Alveoli pulmonis
Microscopic air sacs at the end of the bronchioles where gas exchange between air and blood takes place.
4
Aorta
Aorta
The largest artery in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart's left ventricle to the rest of the body.
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Aortic Bulb
Bulbus aortae
The dilated base of the ascending aorta just above the aortic valve, containing the openings of the coronary arteries.
6
Appendix
Appendix vermiformis
A small finger-shaped pouch attached to the cecum at the start of the large intestine.
7
Arteries
Thick-walled blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to tissues throughout the body.
8
Atrium
Atrium cordis
Either of the two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood returning from circulation.
9
Bladder
Vesica
A muscular reservoir that stores fluid before release, most commonly referring to the urinary bladder.
10
Brain
Encephalon
The central organ of the nervous system, responsible for thought, sensation, movement, and the control of every other body system.
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Buttock
Nates
One of the two rounded fleshy mounds on the back of the pelvis, formed mostly by the gluteal muscles.
13
Calf
Sura
The fleshy posterior part of the lower leg, made up mostly of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.
14
Capillaries
Microscopic blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste between blood and tissues occurs.
15
Carotid Artery
Arteria carotis
A pair of major arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain, face, and neck tissues.
16
Carpals
Ossa carpi
Eight small bones arranged in two rows that form the bony framework of the wrist.
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Clavicle
Clavicula
The collarbone, a horizontal S-shaped bone connecting the arm to the rest of the skeleton.
19
Cornu
Cornu
An anatomical term for a horn-shaped projection, used for several structures including the cornua of the hyoid bone and the uterus.
20
Deltoid
Musculus deltoideus
A triangular muscle that caps the shoulder and produces most arm-lifting movements.
21
Diaphragm
Diaphragma
A dome-shaped sheet of muscle separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities and serving as the main muscle of breathing.
22
Duodenum
Duodenum
The first and shortest section of the small intestine, where stomach contents mix with digestive juices from the pancreas and liver.
23
Elbow
Articulatio cubiti
The hinge joint of the upper limb where the humerus meets the radius and ulna.
24
Epiglottis
Epiglottis
A leaf-shaped cartilaginous flap at the back of the tongue that covers the airway during swallowing.
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Ethmoid Bone
Os ethmoidale
A delicate central bone of the skull base that contributes to the eye sockets, nasal cavity, and nasal septum.
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Eyebrow
Supercilium
A strip of short hair above each eye that shields the eye from sweat and contributes to facial expression.
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Fibula
Fibula
The slender lateral bone of the lower leg that runs alongside the tibia and forms the outer ankle bump.
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Foot
Pes
The flexible base of the lower limb, made up of 26 bones, that supports the body's weight and propels it during walking.
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34
Gallbladder
Vesica biliaris
A small pear-shaped organ that stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver.
35
Genu
Genu
An anatomical term meaning a sharp bend, applied to several structures including the bend of the corpus callosum and the femur.
36
Gluteus Maximus
Musculus gluteus maximus
The largest and most superficial muscle of the buttock, responsible for hip extension and a powerful push-off when climbing or running.
37
Gum
Gingiva
The firm pink tissue that surrounds the base of each tooth and covers the jawbone, also called the gingiva.
38
Gut
Intestinum
The continuous muscular tube from the stomach through the intestines that digests food and absorbs nutrients.
39
Hair Bulb
Bulbus pili
The rounded base of a hair follicle, where new hair cells are produced by rapidly dividing matrix cells.
40
Heart
Cor
A muscular pump in the thoracic cavity that circulates blood through the body via the cardiovascular system.
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Hip
Articulatio coxae
The ball-and-socket joint where the head of the femur meets the cup of the pelvis.
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Hippocampus
Hippocampus
A seahorse-shaped brain structure deep in the temporal lobe that is essential for forming new memories.
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Hyoid Bone
Os hyoideum
A small U-shaped bone in the upper neck that anchors the tongue and several throat muscles without articulating with any other bone.
46
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
A small region at the base of the brain that controls hormone release, body temperature, hunger, and many basic drives.
47
Iliac Artery
Arteria iliaca
A large artery in the pelvis that supplies blood to the lower limb and pelvic organs.
48
Iliac Wing
Ala ossis ilii
The broad flat upper portion of the ilium that flares outward to form the side of the pelvis.
49
Ilium
Os ilium
The large flared upper portion of the hip bone that forms the crest you can feel at your waist.
50
Incisor
Dens incisivus
A flat, chisel-shaped tooth at the front of the mouth used for biting and cutting food.
51
Incus
Incus
The anvil-shaped middle bone of the three ossicles in the middle ear, transmitting sound between the malleus and the stapes.
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Ischium
Os ischii
The lower and posterior portion of the hip bone, supporting body weight during sitting.
54
Jaw
Mandibula
The bony framework of the lower face that holds the teeth and articulates with the skull at the temporomandibular joint.
55
Jejunum
Jejunum
The middle section of the small intestine where most nutrient absorption takes place after food leaves the duodenum.
56
Jugular Foramen
Foramen jugulare
A large opening at the base of the skull through which several cranial nerves and the internal jugular vein exit the cranial cavity.
57
Jugular Vein
Vena jugularis
A pair of large veins in the neck that drain blood from the head and brain back toward the heart.
58
Kidney
Ren
A bean-shaped organ that filters blood to produce urine while regulating fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.
59
Kneecap
Patella
A small triangular bone embedded in the quadriceps tendon at the front of the knee, also called the patella.
60
Kupffer Cells
Macrophagi stellati
Resident immune cells lining the liver's blood sinusoids that engulf bacteria and old red blood cells.
61
Lacrimal Sac
Saccus lacrimalis
A small pouch at the inner corner of the eye that collects tears before they drain into the nose.
62
Large Intestine
Intestinum crassum
The final section of the digestive tract that absorbs water and electrolytes and forms feces from undigested material.
63
Larynx
Larynx
The voice box, a cartilage-framed organ in the neck that produces sound and protects the lower airway.
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Lip
Labium oris
One of the two fleshy folds that form the entrance to the mouth and help shape speech.
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Liver
Hepar
The largest internal organ, performing hundreds of metabolic, storage, and detoxification functions.
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Lung
Pulmo
One of two spongy organs in the chest that exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide between the bloodstream and the air.
68
Lungs
Pulmones
A pair of spongy organs in the thoracic cavity responsible for gas exchange between air and blood.
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Metacarpals
Ossa metacarpi
Five long bones in the palm of the hand that connect the wrist to the fingers.
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Mouth
Cavitas oris
The oral cavity, the entry point of the digestive tract where food is taken in, chewed, and mixed with saliva.
72
Multifidi
Musculi multifidi
A column of deep, short back muscles that span two to four vertebrae each and stabilize the spine.
73
Nasal Cavity
Cavitas nasi
The hollow space behind the nose where inhaled air is filtered, warmed, and humidified before reaching the lungs.
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Neck
Cervix
The narrow region between the head and the trunk, containing major vessels, nerves, and the airway.
75
Nephron
Nephronum
The microscopic functional unit of the kidney, where blood is filtered and urine is fine-tuned.
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Nipple
Papilla mammaria
A small raised projection at the center of the areola through which milk is delivered from the mammary gland.
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Nostril
Naris
One of the two external openings of the nose through which air enters the respiratory tract.
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Occipital Bone
Os occipitale
The single bone at the back and base of the skull that surrounds the foramen magnum where the spinal cord exits.
79
Olfactory Bulb
Bulbus olfactorius
A small forebrain structure at the front of the brain that processes incoming signals about smell.
80
Optic Disc
Discus nervi optici
A small circular area on the retina where the optic nerve fibers leave the eye and blood vessels enter.
81
Optic Nerve
Nervus opticus
The cranial nerve that carries visual information from the retina to the brain.
82
Ovary
Ovarium
A paired female reproductive gland that produces eggs and secretes the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
83
Pancreas
Pancreas
An elongated gland behind the stomach that produces digestive enzymes and hormones regulating blood sugar.
84
Patella
Patella
The kneecap, a triangular sesamoid bone embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps in front of the knee.
85
Pelvis
Pelvis
A bowl-shaped ring of bones at the base of the spine that supports body weight and houses pelvic organs.
86
Pericardial Sac
Pericardium
A tough double-layered sac that surrounds the heart, anchoring it and reducing friction during each beat.
87
Phalanges
Phalanges
The bones of the fingers and toes, arranged in three segments per digit except the thumb and great toe.
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Pharynx
Pharynx
The throat, a muscular tube that carries air to the larynx and food to the esophagus.
89
Pineal Gland
Glandula pinealis
A small endocrine gland deep in the brain that secretes melatonin and helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
90
Pulmonary Artery
Arteria pulmonalis
A short, large vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
91
Quadrangular Space
Spatium axillare laterale
A four-sided anatomical gap in the shoulder region that allows passage of the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery.
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Quadratus Femoris
Musculus quadratus femoris
A short, flat muscle of the hip that rotates the thigh outward and helps stabilize the hip joint.
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Quadratus Lumborum
Musculus quadratus lumborum
A deep muscle of the posterior abdominal wall that stabilizes the lower spine and helps bend the trunk sideways.
94
Quadriceps
Musculus quadriceps femoris
A group of four large muscles on the front of the thigh that extend the knee and stabilize the kneecap.
95
Radius
Radius
One of two long bones of the forearm, located on the thumb side and rotating around the ulna.
96
Rectum
Rectum
The final straight section of the large intestine that stores fecal material before elimination.
97
Red Marrow
Medulla ossium rubra
The blood-cell-producing tissue inside many bones, where new red cells, white cells, and platelets are made throughout life.
98
Ribs
Costae
Twelve pairs of curved bones that form the rib cage and protect the organs of the chest.
99
Rotator Cuff
Musculi rotatores
A group of four muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint and keep the head of the humerus seated in the socket.
100
Scalp
Pericranium
The soft tissue layers covering the top of the skull, including skin, dense connective tissue, and the muscle-tendon sheet of the forehead.
101
Scapula
Scapula
The shoulder blade, a flat triangular bone that connects the humerus to the clavicle and supports shoulder motion.
102
Skull
Cranium
The bony framework of the head that protects the brain and forms the structure of the face.
103
Small Intestine
Intestinum tenue
A long, coiled tube where most chemical digestion and nutrient absorption take place.
104
Spinal Cord
Medulla spinalis
The long bundle of nerve fibers and cell bodies running down through the vertebral column from the brainstem.
105
Sternum
Sternum
The breastbone, a flat bone in the middle of the chest that anchors the ribs and protects the heart and great vessels.
106
Stomach
Ventriculus
A J-shaped muscular sac that stores swallowed food and begins protein digestion through acid and enzymes.
107
Teeth
Dentes
Hard mineralized structures embedded in the jaws that cut, tear, and grind food during the first stage of digestion.
108
Thyroid Gland
Glandula thyroidea
A butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in the front of the neck that controls metabolism through its hormones.
109
110
Tongue
Lingua
A muscular organ in the mouth that handles food during chewing and swallowing and supports taste and speech.
111
Trachea
Trachea
The windpipe, a cartilage-reinforced tube that conducts air between the larynx and the bronchi.
112
Ulna
Ulna
One of two long bones of the forearm, located on the little finger side and forming the main hinge with the humerus at the elbow.
113
Umbilical Cord
Funiculus umbilicalis
A flexible tube connecting the developing fetus to the placenta, carrying blood between the two.
114
115
Urethra
Urethra
A tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body, and in males also carries semen during ejaculation.
116
Urinary Bladder
Vesica urinaria
A muscular sac in the pelvis that stores urine until it is voluntarily released through the urethra.
117
Uterus
Uterus
A muscular pear-shaped organ in the female pelvis where a fertilized egg implants and a fetus develops during pregnancy.
118
Uvula
Uvula palatina
A small fleshy lobe hanging from the back of the soft palate that helps with swallowing and speech.
119
Vasti
Musculi vasti
The three vastus muscles of the thigh that, together with the rectus femoris, make up the quadriceps group.
120
Veins
Blood vessels that return deoxygenated blood from the body's tissues back to the heart at low pressure.
121
Vena Cava
Vena cava
The two largest veins in the body, returning deoxygenated blood from systemic circulation to the right atrium of the heart.
122
Ventricle
Ventriculus cordis
Either of the two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out into systemic or pulmonary circulation.
123
Vertebrae
Vertebrae
The 33 bones that stack to form the spinal column, supporting the body and protecting the spinal cord.
124
Vocal Cord
Plica vocalis
One of a pair of folds of mucous membrane in the larynx that vibrate to produce sound during speech and singing.
125
Wernicke Area
Area Wernicke
A region of the dominant cerebral hemisphere essential for understanding spoken and written language.
126
White Blood Cells
Leucocyti
A family of immune cells circulating in the blood that defend the body against infection and injury.
127
White Matter
Substantia alba
The pale, deeper layer of the brain and spinal cord made up of myelinated nerve fibers connecting different regions.
128
Wisdom Tooth
Dens serotinus
The third molar at the very back of each side of the jaw, usually the last permanent tooth to erupt in early adulthood.
129
Wrist
Carpus
The joint complex between the hand and the forearm, made up of eight small carpal bones and several joint surfaces.
130
X Chromosome
Chromosoma X
A sex chromosome found in all human cells, present as two copies in genetic females and one copy in genetic males.
131
Xiphoid Cartilage
The cartilaginous tip of the xiphoid process in young people, before it ossifies, providing flexibility at the inferior sternum.
132
Xiphoid Process
Processus xiphoideus
A small cartilaginous extension at the lower end of the sternum that serves as an attachment point for several muscles and ligaments.
133
Y Chromosome
Chromosoma Y
The smaller of the two sex chromosomes, found only in genetic males and carrying the master switch for male sex determination.
134
Yellow Bone Marrow
Medulla ossium flava
A fatty tissue found in the central cavities of long bones, serving as an energy reserve and a backup site for blood cell production.
135
Yolk Sac
Saccus vitellinus
An early embryonic membrane that provides nutrients and the first blood cells before the placenta takes over.
136
Zona Fasciculata
Zona fasciculata
The middle and largest layer of the adrenal cortex, producing cortisol and other glucocorticoid hormones.
137
Zona Glomerulosa
Zona glomerulosa
The outermost layer of the adrenal cortex, producing aldosterone to regulate sodium balance and blood pressure.
138
Zona Reticularis
Zona reticularis
The innermost layer of the adrenal cortex, producing weak androgens that supplement gonadal sex hormones.
139
Zygomatic Arch
Arcus zygomaticus
The bony arch on the side of the face formed by the temporal and zygomatic bones, visible as the upper cheek ridge.
140
Zygomatic Bone
Os zygomaticum
The cheekbone, a paired bone that forms the prominence of the cheek and the lateral wall of the eye socket.
141
Zygomaticus Major
Musculus zygomaticus major
A facial muscle that draws the corner of the mouth upward and outward, producing the characteristic action of smiling.
About this body parts index
That's our current full list of body parts. We add new entries every week — if there's a body part you'd like us to cover, let us know and we'll write it up.
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