postaxial

9.9

On the outer side of a limb, like the little finger side of the hand

adjective
/ˌpoʊstˈæksiəl/

Specialized

: postaxial

In the majority of cases, the outer toes are usually amputated in preaxial and postaxial polydactyly, unless those toes are clearly better developed than the inner duplicated toes.

Examples

This is known as postaxial polydactyly and usually involves duplication of the proximal phalanx with a block metatarsal or wide metatarsal head.

Academic text (2005)
The postaxial structure of the fish's fin allows it to maneuver with great agility.
In horses, the postaxial position of the fetlock joint is crucial for their movement.
The study focused on the postaxial regions of the limbs to understand evolutionary adaptations.

Synonyms

lateralis

vspostaxial

Specialized

1 9.9

On the outer side of the body away from the middle

also includes being behind rather than only at the side away from the axis

posterolateral

vspostaxial

Specialized

1 9.5

On the back and side of a body part like the knee or hip

can mean either behind or at the side away from the axis

Surface Forms

postaxial positive

Morphology

postaxial = axial (transparent) = post + axial + post

The adjective 'axial' is a regular derivation from 'axis' + '-al', but the orthographic/phonological change from 'axis' may obscure the link for some learners.

Etymology

Postaxial comes from the parts post- meaning 'after' or 'behind' and axial from axis, meaning 'central line' of a limb. So postaxial literally means 'behind the axis', which is why it names the side of a hand or arm away from the central line, like the little-finger side.