Körperteils

Körperteil is a German noun that refers to any part of a living body. In everyday language it covers both external structures such as Kopf, Arm, Bein and internal components such as Herz, Lunge, Leber, as well as sense organs like Auge and Ohr. In medical and anatomical contexts, more precise terms are often used, but Körperteil remains a general umbrella for any bodily component.

The word is a compound of Körper (body) and Teil (part). It is a masculine noun: der Körperteil. Its plural is Körperteile. The genitive singular form is des Körperteils, and the genitive plural is der Körperteile. The form Körperteils appears in the genitive construction des Körperteils (eines Körperteils, etc.).

Körperteile can be classified in various ways, for example into external parts (Kopf, Gliedmaßen, Haut) and internal parts (Organe, Gewebe). Common groupings include Gliedmaßen (arms and legs), Rumpf (torso including chest and back), Kopf, and Sinnesorgane (eyes, ears). Functional and clinical classifications also distinguish anatomical systems, such as das Herz-Kreislauf-System or das Verdauungssystem, where individual Körperteile contribute to broader physiological functions.

Usage note: while Körperteil is widely understood, medical texts prefer specific terminology (z. B. Arm, Bein, Niere, Lunge) to describe exact locations or structures. The term remains useful for general descriptions, legal or lay context, and when referring to a body part without specifying which one.

See also: Körper, Anatomie, Gliedmaßen, Organe.