Volar

The term [volar] is used in human anatomy and orthopedics to denote either the palm of the hand or the sole of the feet. The volar surface of the hand is the anterior aspect or palm, whereas the volar surface of the feet is the inferior aspect or sole of the foot. How we came to use this word as such is a strange trip through the evolution and use of words.

The word [volar] originates from the Latin[vola] meaning "to fly". If you look online the definition of many for [volar] is "The hollow of the palms of the  hands and soles of the feet". Very far from "to fly". The word was first used for the palms of the hands when mimicking a a flying bird. The hollow of the hands forces the air, hence [vola]. In fact, in Spanish the word for "to fly" is "volar" and in Italian, "volare". The term [volar] was then used by extension for the soles of the feet.

The term to refer to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet is in disuse except in orthopedics and can be found in some anatomy books. Overtime the word has been changed to [palmar] in the hand, and to [plantar] in the feet. This is why we have a muscle called the "palmaris longus" and we talk about the "plantar fascia".

Note: The links to Google Translate in these articles include an icon that will allow you to hear the Greek or Latin pronunciation of the word.

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