[Anatomical names of skeletal tubers and tubercles: analysis and classification of Latin names, and comparison with corresponding English and Japanese names].

For better understanding of the structures comprising the human body and in view of possible need for future revision, Latin anatomical names (Terminologia Anatomica) of the skeletal tubers and tubercles were analyzed and classified, and compared with the corresponding English and Japanese anatomical names. The words following Tuber indicated: (1) the structure to which the tuber belongs; or (2) location of the tuber. The words following Tuberculum indicated: (1) the structure to which the tubercle belongs; (2) location of the tubercle; (3) the structure attached to the tubercle; (4) the structure that exists near the tubercle; (5) the structure that passes near the tubercle; (6) the structure of which the tubercle is a component; (7) the relative size of the tubercle; (8) the relative position of the tubercle; or (9) the non-relative position ofthe tubercle. Analysis of Latin names and comparison with English and Japanese names clarified some characteristics of those names and revealed some problems in them.