crus

Crus is a Latin word meaning leg. In anatomical terminology, crus (plural crura) designates a leg-like or pillar-like projection that connects a larger structure to the rest of the body. The term is used when a part resembles a leg in shape or function and is often paired with a compound name describing its location.

Common examples include:

- Crus cerebri (the cerebellar peduncle’s anterior stalks), the two fiber bundles that connect the cerebrum to the brainstem.

- Crus of the penis (crura penis), the two proximal portions of the corpora cavernosa that form the root of the penis.

- Crus of the clitoris (crura of the clitoris), the corresponding paired structures in the female anatomy.

- Crura of the diaphragm, the two tendinous legs that anchor the diaphragm to the lumbar vertebrae.

In clinical and educational contexts, identifying crura helps distinguish distinct, named structures that share a common “leg-like” morphology. The usage is largely confined to anatomical and medical discourse, and “crus” may appear in Latin phrases or as part of the formal naming convention for specific anatomical features.

Overall, crus serves as a generic descriptor for leg-shaped projections across various organs, with Crura forming the standard plural and maintained in modern anatomical nomenclature.