appendage

(noun)

A limb of the body.

Related Terms

Examples of appendage in the following topics:

  • Orbits

    • The orbit is the cavity or socket of the skull in which the eye and its appendages are situated.
    • The orbit, or eye socket, is the cavity located in the skull in which the eye and its associated appendages are housed.

  • Directional Terms

    • These are mostly used with animal anatomy, but can be used in human anatomy as long as they are describing the side of an appendage.
    • For example, bones in an appendage are located deeper than the muscles.
    • When describing appendages, the proximal end of the appendage connects the appendage to the body, while the distal end is away from the body.

  • Overview of the Appendicular Skeleton

    • The unfused appendicular skeleton is composed of the appendages (legs and arms) and their supporting girdles, totaling 126 bones.
    • The word "appendicular" comes from "appendage," which means "a part that is joined to something larger. " The appendicular skeleton comprises the limbs and their supporting girdles (pectoral and pelvic).

  • Anatomical Position

    • All descriptions refer to the organism in its standard anatomical position, even when the organism's appendages are in another position.
    • The positions of the limbs, particularly the arms, have important implications for directional terms in those appendages.

  • Regional Terms and Axes

    • This includes the limbs and appendages.
    • Any pair of corresponding directional terms can be combined to form an axis (such as proximal-distal for an appendage).

  • The Appendicular Skeleton

    • The appendicular skeleton of vertebrates, including humans, consists of the bones that support and compose the appendages (for example, the arms and legs of humans).
    • The word appendicular is the adjective of the noun appendage.

  • Development of the Integumentary System

    • The integument also includes appendages, primarily the sweat and sebaceous glands, hair, nails and arrectores pillorum (tiny muscles at the root of each hair that cause goose bumps).

  • Epidermal Wound Healing

    • Additionally, epidermal cells from dermal appendages, such as hair follicles, can contribute to wound closure.

  • Divisions of the Skeletal System: Axial and Appendicular

    • The word "appendicular" is the adjective of the noun appendage, which itself means a part that is joined to something larger.

  • Metabolic Functions

    • The integumentary system is the largest of the body's organ systems, made up of the skin and its associated appendages.