lateralem

Lateralem is a Latin inflected form of the adjective lateralis, used in Latin texts to signify "lateral" or "of the side." It is not an English word, but it appears in bilingual or historical medical writings that present anatomical descriptions in Latin.

Origin and meaning: The root is Latin lateralis, derived from latus, meaning "side," with the suffix -alis forming an adjective. Lateralem is the accusative singular form of lateralis, used to modify a noun in the direct object position.

Usage: In Latin anatomy and biology texts, lateralem occurs when the modified noun is in the accusative. For example, partem lateralem corporis means "the lateral part of the body." This illustrates how Latin adjectives agree with the nouns they describe and how their endings vary by case, number, and gender.

Modern relevance: In contemporary medical writing in English, the word lateralem is rarely used; the standard term is lateral. Latin forms such as lateralis or its inflected forms appear mainly in historical texts or bilingual glosses.

See also: lateral, laterality, lateralization, lateralis, Latin grammar of adjectives.