externo

Externo is a term used in several Romance languages, particularly Spanish and Portuguese, to denote something located outside or on the exterior. As an adjective, externo means external or exterior, opposite of interno; in English-language discussions it often appears in translations of Latin or Romance-language terms. The word derives from Latin externus, meaning outside.

In anatomy, externo appears in the names of muscles and structures to indicate their outer position. A common example is the obliquus externus abdominis, or external oblique muscle. The term is also used more broadly to describe superficial or outward aspects of a system, as opposed to interno or intrinsic elements.

In diplomacy, law, and public administration, externo is used to refer to foreign or external affairs, external relations, or external audits. Phrases such as asuntos externos (foreign affairs) or auditoría externa (external audit) are routinely encountered in Spanish and Portuguese contexts. In philosophy and social theory, externo denotes factors that are extrinsic or external to a given entity, contrasted with intrinsic properties.

The term is widely used in Spanish and Portuguese, with similar forms in other Romance languages. Users should note that externo can be distinguished from esterno or exterior in languages where synonyms exist, as usage varies by field and country. When translating, the appropriate English equivalent—external, exterior, or extrinsic—depends on context.