cuspis

Cuspis is a Latin noun meaning point, tip, or spear. In medical and anatomical terminology, it is used to designate a cusp, a pointed projection on a structure. The English term cusp is derived from cuspis and is widely used to describe similar projections in human anatomy and elsewhere in biology.

In dentistry, a cusp refers to a raised point on the occlusal surface of a tooth. Molars and premolars typically have multiple cusps that contribute to grinding and crushing food. The size, number, and arrangement of tooth cusps vary by tooth type and species, and these features are important in classification and function.

In cardiology and anatomy, cuspis denotes a leaflet or flap of a heart valve. The aortic valve, for instance, comprises three cusps: the left coronary cusp, the right coronary cusp, and the non-coronary cusp. These cusps open and close with the cardiac cycle to regulate blood flow and prevent backflow between chambers and major arteries.

Beyond dentistry and the heart, cuspis is used more broadly to describe any pointed projection or apex on a biological structure. Usage depends on context and anatomical tradition, but the core idea remains a sharp, pointed projection characteristic of the structure in question.