Medially Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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medially
[ˈmɛdɪəli ]
Definition
positioning, anatomy
Medially refers to the direction toward the midline of the body or a structure. It is often used in anatomy to describe the positioning of body parts relative to one another, indicating that something is closer to the center line of the body.
Synonyms
centrally, toward the midline.
Examples of usage
- The heart is located medially to the lungs.
- In the anatomical position, the thumbs point laterally and the little fingers are positioned medially.
- The medial side of the knee is often injured in sports.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Anatomy
- In human anatomy, 'medially' often describes structures located toward the center of the body, such as internal organs.
- Terms like 'medial collateral ligament' refer to ligaments that are positioned toward the midline of the body.
- Understanding medial positioning is crucial in surgical practices to avoid harm to central organs.
Linguistics
- In phonetics, 'medially' indicates that a sound or syllable occurs in the middle of a word.
- For example, in the word 'banana', the 'n' is a medial sound that affects how the word is pronounced.
- Linguists examine medial patterns in speech to understand language structure and development.
Psychology
- Research in cognition discusses how people often remember items better when they’re placed medially in a list, known as the 'serial position effect'.
- Experiments show that medial items in a sequence can capture attention more effectively than those at the beginning or end.
- Understanding memory patterns related to medial positioning can aid in developing better educational strategies.
Pop Culture
- In some dance forms, movements performed medially can symbolize balance and harmony between performers.
- Medial positions in storytelling can signify characters who act as mediators or central figures in the plot.
- Television shows often feature characters whose roles are medially positioned between conflicting parties, highlighting the importance of compromise.
Origin of 'medially'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'medially' comes from the Latin 'medialis', meaning 'of the middle'.
- The base word 'media' relates to being in the center, linking it to various fields such as communication.
- In language, it describes sounds or letters that appear in the middle of words.
The word 'medially' is derived from the Latin word 'medialis,' meaning 'middle' or 'central.' The root 'medius' directly translates to 'middle' in English. The term is often utilized in medical and anatomical descriptors to denote a relative position within the body. Its application is essential in fields such as medicine, biology, and anatomy, where precise communication about the locations of organs and structures is vital. The adverbial form '-ly' denotes how something is located in relation to the midpoint, emphasizing the comparative aspect of its position. This precision reflects the effort in scientific language to avoid ambiguity, allowing for consistent and clear communication among professionals.