Processus

Processus is a Latin term meaning going forth or an outgrowth. In anatomical nomenclature it denotes a projection or extension from a body part, most commonly from bone. In English medical texts the form appears mainly within compound names rather than as a stand-alone word. For example, processus coracoideus is the coracoid process on the scapula; processus spinosus refers to the spinous process of a vertebra; and processus alveolaris designates the alveolar process of the jaw bone. Embryology uses processus vaginalis to describe a peritoneal outpouching that accompanies the descent of the testis or ovary.

Usage and notes: The term is of Latin origin and is preserved in English anatomical terminology as part of fixed phrases. The plain English equivalents are usually process or projection. In classical Latin the noun is processus with plural processūs; in modern English texts the term is typically encountered in the singular within a name.

Context and scope: Outside of human anatomy, processus appears in veterinary and dental nomenclature as part of standard bone markings and organ projections. In general language use, the word estrews less frequently and may be replaced by the English word process or projection. The concept it denotes—an outward projection from a structure—aligns with the broader idea of bone markings and anatomical outgrowths, where many terms follow the same Latin-derived pattern.