The human body is an incredible thing. Without its unique advantages and capacities, mankind would not have been able to dominate the world in the way we currently do, building great cities, outdoing all other species, creating our own societies and civilizations, and enjoying modern technological marvels. In spite of how impressive our bodies are, we actually don’t know all that much about them, and there are undoubtedly many parts of your own body you don’t even know the name for. Read on to find out.
Acnestis
Do you ever get an itchy back but just can’t quite reach the spot that needs scratching? Well, that’s the acnestis. This term is used across the animal kingdom for that one part of the back that just can’t be scratched by hands, feet, or paws.
In humans, the acnestis is found between the shoulder blades, and it actually led to the creation of devices like back scratchers to help us get to those ‘hard to reach’ places without having to ask someone else to scratch our backs for us.
Digitus Secondus
We typically know the names of the digits on our hands – thumb, index finger, etc. – but we don’t really tend to know the names of individual toes. Well, the second toe along, which can sometimes be longer than the first and is commonly known as the ‘long toe’ or ‘pointer toe,’ is actually known as the digitus secondus.
If you’d like to know the official scientific names of the other toes, the first one is called the hallux or digitus primus, the third is the digitus tertius, the fourth is the digitus quartus, and the smallest one is the digitus maximus.
Suprasternal Notch
You might also see the suprasternal notch referred to as the jugular notch or even the fossa jugularis sternalis. These various terms all refer to the depressed area at the base of the neck, in between the two collarbones. It’s just above the sternum, also known as the breastbone.
The suprasternal notch is actually a very important part of the human anatomy and can be palpated by medical professionals to check for various health problems. The notch is usually formed in a V-shape, and you can see it quite easily by simply looking in the mirror.
Columella Nasi
The nose is one of the most important parts of the human body, and our sense of smell plays a vital role in daily life, helping us stay safe by identifying and avoiding dangerous substances while also enjoying pleasant aromas and flavors.
The nose may seem small and simple, but it has lots of little parts, including the columella nasi. Also sometimes referred to just as the columella, this is the fleshy little part of the nose which hangs down between the two nostrils. It’s made of both cartilage and soft tissue.
Columella Nasi
Gynecomastia is the scientific or medical term for excess breast tissue in men. There can be various medical causes behind a man or boy having gynecomastia, and the usual culprit is some kind of hormonal imbalance.
Gynecomastia can occur in one or both of the breasts and may occur in both but to two different degrees, resulting in a lack of symmetry. Gynecomastia isn’t generally regarded as a serious health issue, but it causes stigma for many men and boys. It often goes away on its own but may require medical care in some cases.