superficialis

Superficialis is a Latin adjective used in anatomy to indicate a structure or portion that is near the surface of the body. It is commonly applied to describe elements that are superficial in relation to deeper layers, and it is often paired conceptually with profundus, meaning deep.

One of the best-known uses is in reference to flexor digitorum superficialis, a forearm muscle that flexes the middle joints of the fingers and assists in flexing the wrist. It typically has two heads, arising from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and from the ulna, and its four tendons split to insert on the sides of the middle phalanges of digits II–V. The muscle is mainly innervated by the median nerve and functions to flex the proximal interphalangeal joints, contributing to grip.

Beyond muscles, the term appears in descriptions of other superficial structures, such as the superficial fascia (the layer beneath the skin) and superficial veins of the limbs. In general use, superficialis conveys proximity to the body surface, contrasted with profundus for deeper structures. The term is part of a broader approach in anatomy that uses Latin descriptors to denote relative position and layering.