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preaxial

preaxial

1 9.6
On the front side of a limb, like an arm or leg, near its center line
  • adjective
  • /priˈæksɪəl/
  • Specialized
: preaxial
  • In humans, the preaxial side of the foot refers to the inner part where the big toe is located.

Examples

  • There may also be preaxial polydactyly, which occurs when there is duplication of the great toe.

    Academic text (2005)
  • 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.

    Academic text (2005)
  • It says: the short, thick first or most preaxial digit of the human hand, differing from the other fingers by having two phalanges and greater freedom of movement.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The preaxial position of the thumb allows for greater dexterity in grasping objects.

  • Anatomists study the preaxial bones of the limbs to understand their role in movement.

Synonyms

anterior
vspreaxial
  • Specialized
33 7.4

Near the front of the body or head

refers to the front side relative to an internal axis in anatomy

Surface Forms

preaxial positive

Morphology

preaxial = axial (semi-transparent) = pre + axis + al

The word is transparently formed by adding pre- to axial to indicate something located in front of the axis.

Etymology

Preaxial is made from pre- ('before') and axis ('central line'), with axial meaning 'related to an axis'. So preaxial describes a part that lies in front of that central line, for example the thumb in the hand.