pedis

Pedis is a Latin term used in anatomy to denote “of the foot.” It functions as the genitive singular form of pes, meaning foot, and appears in English medical terminology in two-word phrases to indicate a relation to the foot rather than as a standalone word.

Etymology: Pedis derives from the Latin pes (foot) with the genitive ending -is. In anatomical phrases, pedis serves to specify a positional or relational context related to the foot.

Usage in medical terminology: The form is most commonly seen in phrases such as dorsalis pedis, which refers to the dorsal (top) aspect of the foot. The dorsalis pedis artery is a major vessel that clinicians palpate to assess peripheral perfusion. Another example is facies plantaris pedis or planta pedis, which denotes the plantar surface, or sole, of the foot. These terms are standard in anatomical descriptions and clinical notes.

Context and scope: Pedis appears mainly in Latinized anatomical terms and technical writing. It is not used as an independent English noun; rather, it appears as part of compound terms that describe location, orientation, or relationship to the foot. Its continued use reflects the long-standing influence of Latin in medical nomenclature.

See also: Pes; Dorsalis pedis; Planta pedis; Anatomical terminology.