heads

Heads is the plural form of head, a term with multiple meanings across anatomy, biology, measurement, geography, and everyday usage. The word appears in both scientific and common contexts, referring to parts of bodies, regions of organisms, and various objects or concepts.

In human anatomy, the head is the uppermost part of the body that houses the brain and sensory organs such as the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. It is protected by the skull and connected to the neck, with facial structures forming the visible front. In animals, the head is the anterior region that contains the brain and sense organs, and its exact structure varies across species.

In biology and zoology, the head is often described as a distinct body region within more complex bodies. Many invertebrates, such as insects, possess a cephalic area that includes mouthparts, eyes, and antennae, sometimes organized as a fused head.

Beyond anatomy, heads appear in everyday terms. In coinage, the term “heads” denotes the obverse side of a coin; in a coin toss, the outcome is often described as heads or tails. In livestock commerce, a “head” is a single animal used for counting or sale. In brewing, the head refers to the foam that forms on top of a poured beer, contributing to aroma and texture.

Geography and related fields use the term to describe origins and prominences. Headwaters are the source streams of a river, while a headland or cape designates a coastal promontory. Collectively, heads reflect the diverse ways the word is applied across disciplines and everyday language.