[Analysis and classification of Latin anatomical names of skeletal foramina in Terminologia Anatomica, and comparison with corresponding Japanese anatomical names].

Abstract

For better understanding of the structures comprising the human body and in view of the possible need for future revision, Latin anatomical names of skeletal foramina in Terminologia Anatomica were analyzed and classified, and compared with the corresponding Japanese anatomical names. The words following Foramen or Foramina indicated:1) the form of the foramen, 2) the state of the foramen, 3) the absolute size of the foramen, 4) the structure to which the foramen belongs, 5) the position of the foramen in the skeletal system, 6) the part of the human body in which the foramen exists, 7) the structure that transmits the foramen, or 8) the function of the foramen. Analysis of Latin names and comparison with Japanese names clarified some characteristics of both names and revealed some problems in them.