(pros'es‵ )

[L. processus, going forwards, an advance]

1. A method of action.
2. The state of progress of a disease.
3. A projection or outgrowth of bone or tissue.
4. A series of steps or events that lead to achievement of specific results.

acromial p.Acromion.

acromion p.Acromion.

alar p.The process of the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone that articulates with the frontal bone.

aliform p.Wing of the sphenoid bone.

alveolar p.The portion of the mand ible and maxilla containing the tooth sockets. SYN: alveolar bone .

articular p. of vertebra One of four small, flat processes (two superior and two inferior) by which vertebrae articulate with each other.

basilar p.The narrow part of the base of the occipital bone, in front of the foramen magnum, articulating with the sphenoid bone. SYN: pars basilaris ossis occipitalis.

caudate p.The process of the caudate lobe of the liver extending under the right lobe.

ciliary p.One of about 70 prominent meridional ridges projecting from the corona ciliaris of the choroid coat of the eye to which the suspensory ligament of the lens is attached. These have the same structure as the rest of the choroid and secrete aqueous humor, which nourishes neighboring parts, the cornea, and lens.

clinoid p.Any of three pairs of bony processes on the top of the body of the sphenoid bone, overhanging the edges of the sella turcica.

condyloid p.A posterior process on the superior border of the ramus of the mand ible consisting of a capitulum and neck. It articulates with the mand ibular fossa of the temporal bone.

SEE: mand ible for illus.

coracoid p.A beak-shaped process extending upward and laterally from the neck of the scapula. The coracoid process is not part of any bone-to-bone articulation although the coracoclavicular ligament holds the clavicle against the acromium of the scapula. The muscles attaching to the coracoid process are the pectoralis major, coracobrachialis, and the short head of the biceps brachii.

SEE: scapula.

coronoid p.1The process on the proximal end of the ulna that forms the anterior portion of the semilunar notch.2The process on the anterior upper end of the ramus of the mand ible that serves for attachment of the temporalis muscle.

SEE: mand ible for illus.

due p.The stand ard or customary application of prevailing laws or rules and the protections that follow from their application.

ensiform p.Xiphoid process.

ethmoidal p.A small process on the superior border of the inferior concha that articulates with the uncinate process of the ethmoid.

falciform p.An extension of the posterior edge of the sacrotuberous ligament to the ramus of the ischium.

frontal p.An upward projection of the maxilla that articulates with the frontal bone; forms part of the orbit and nasal fossa.

frontonasal p.In the area of the primitive mouth of the embryo, a median swelling that is the precursor of the nose, upper lip, and front part of the palate.

frontosphenoidal p.The upward-projecting process of the zygomatic bone.

funicular p.The part of the tunica vaginalis that covers the spermatic cord.

group p.Group dynamics (1)

head p.An axial strand of cells in vertebrate embryos extending forward from the primitive knot. It forms a primitive axis about which the embryo differentiates.

horizontal p.The part of the palatine bone that fuses with its counterpart at the midline to form the dorsal extension of the hard palate.

infraorbital p.The medially projecting process of the zygomatic bone that articulates with the maxilla. It forms the inferior lateral margin of orbit.

jugal p.A temporal bone process forming the zygomatic arch.

jugular p.A process of the occipital bone lying lateral to the occipital condyle.

lacrimal p.A short process of the inferior concha that articulates with the lacrimal bone.

lenticular p.A knob on the incus, articulating with the stapes.

malar p.A projection from the maxilla that articulates with the zygomatic bone.

mand ibular p.The posterior portion of the first branchial (first pharyngeal) arch from which the lower jaw develops.

mastoid p.A horn-shaped process of the mastoid portion of the temporal bone extending downward and forward behind the external auditory meatus. It serves for attachment of the sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, and longissimus capitis muscles.

maxillary p.1The anterior portion of the first branchial (pharyngeal) arch, which, with medial nasal processes, forms the upper jaw.2The process of the inferior nasal concha extending laterally and covering the orifice of the antrum.3A process on the anterior border of the perpendicular portion of the palatine bone.

nursing p.

SEE: nursing process.

odontoid p.A toothlike process extending upward from the axis and about which the atlas rotates. SYN: dens.

SEE: illus..

olecranon p.Olecranon.

orbicular p.Lenticular process.

orbital p.1The process at the tip of the perpendicular portion of the palatine bone directed upward and backward.2The process of the zygomatic bone that forms the anterior boundary of the temporal fossa.

palatine p.A process extending transversely from the medial surface of the maxilla. With the corresponding process from the other side, it forms the major portion of the hard palate.

postglenoid p.The process of the temporal bone separating the mand ibular fossa from the external auditory meatus.

pterygoid p.The process of the sphenoid bone extending downward from the junction of the body and great wing. It consists of the lateral and medial pterygoid plates, which are fused at the top. The top of the pterygoid process is pierced by the pterygoid canal.

spinous p.The prominence at the posterior part of each vertebra.

spinous p. of vertebrae The posteriormost part of a vertebra. This spine projects back and serves as a point of attachment for muscles of the back.

styloid p.1A pointed process of the temporal bone, projecting downward, and to which some of the muscles of the tongue are attached.2A pointed projection behind the head of the fibula.3A protuberance on the outer portion of the distal end of the radius.4An ulnar projection on the inner side of the distal end.

transverse p.The process extending laterally and dorsally from the arch of a vertebra.

unciform p.1A long thin lamina of bone from the orbital plate of the ethmoid articulating with the inferior turbinate.2The hook at the anterior end of the hippocampal gyrus.3The hooked end of the unciform bone.

uncinate p. of the ethmoid bone A sickle-shaped bony process on the medial wall of the ethmoidal labyrinth below the concha.

uncinate p. of the pancreas Lesser pancreas

vermiform p.Vermiform appendix.

vocal p.The process of the arytenoid cartilage that serves for attachment of the vocal cord.

xiphoid p.A sword-shaped cartilaginous process supported by bone, and the lowest portion of the sternum. No ribs attach to the xiphoid process, but some abdominal muscles are attached. The xiphoid process ossifies in the aged. SYN: ensiform process ; ensisternum; xiphisternum.