fianchi

Fianchi is the Italian plural noun for the side of the body, commonly translated as hips or flanks. The term refers to the lateral regions of the torso on both sides and is used in everyday speech as well as in anatomical and fashion contexts.

Anatomically, i fianchi lie laterally to the abdomen and pelvis, roughly from the lower ribcage down to the iliac crests. They include layers of skin and fat and are crossed by muscles such as the external obliques and the gluteal muscles, which contribute to hip movement and trunk stability. The hip joints are located near the upper, anterior edge of this region, connecting the pelvis to the femur.

In fashion and clothing, fianchi are a standard measurement reference; circonferenza fianchi indicates the hip circumference used to determine size and fit for trousers, skirts, and dresses. The term is also used in discussions of body shape and proportions in Italian.

Beyond everyday language, the concept of fianchi appears in medical and fitness contexts to describe the lateral body region. While the exact boundaries can vary between sources, the term generally denotes the sides of the torso surrounding the hip area and extending toward the abdomen.