The root terms [-corp-] and [-corpor-] both arise from the Latin word [corpus] which means "body". The term corpus is used in human anatomy with the same meaning. Examples are:

• corpus vertebrale: The corpus or body of a vertebra

• corpus gastricum: The corpus or body of the stomach

• corpus callosum: A thick structure in the brain that communicates the cerebral hemispheres across the midline

The plural form is [corpora] as in the corpora cavernosa a pair of erectile bodies in the human genitalia.

In English both these roots can be found in words such as corpse, corporation, corporal, corpulent, corpuscle, etc.

The word [fundus] is Latin and originally means "bottom", "base", or "foundation". The English root term [-found-] is derived from fundus in words such as "founder", "foundation", and "profound", as in "bottomless". Another derived root is [-fund-] with the meaning of "base capital".

Further evolution of the term lead to ancillary meaning of the term [fundus] as "pocket" as in the "bottom of a pocket". In fact, even today in Spanish, one of the word for "pocket" is "fundillo". This is the meaning that is used in human anatomy.

A fundus is a pocket-like segment or extension of an organ, such as the fundus of the stomach, the fundus of the gallbladder or the fundus of the uterus.

Prof. Dr. Eric Mühe  (1938 - 2005) Much has been written about who gets the glory of having performed the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Many famous names are in the annals of Surgery listed as pioneers in this field: Perissat, Berci, Mouret, Dubois, Sepulveda, Reddick, McKernan, Saye, Lizana, and others. Prof. Dr. Eric Mühe was usually not mentioned, but there is no doubt that on September 12, 1985, Dr. Mühe performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a device of his own design (Galloscope) which lifted the anterior abdominal wall, maintained pneumoperitoneum, and doubled as a laparoscope. 

Dr. Mühe was an avid cyclist and built and repaired his own bycicles. He once  told me that he was looking at bicycle metal tube, and when looking through it, he thought that he could obtain access to the abdomen and the gallbladder with minimal changes. I am privileged to have known him and  I was sad to learn that he passed in 2005. Dr. Miranda

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The [transverse processes] are two lateral bony processes found in most vertebrae, with the exception of the coccygeal vertebrae.

Transverse processes have regional variations. The transverse processes in the cervical vertebrae are heavily modified with anterior and posterior roots forming the boundaries of the foramina transversaria. They are "gutter-shaped" to accommodate the spinal nerves, and angled at 60 degrees anteriorly with a 15 degree inferior tilt.

In the thoracic region the transverse processes point posterolaterally and present with an articular facet (costal facet) for the costal tubercle of a rib, forming the costotransverse joint.  The transverse processes of T11 and T12 do not have a costal facet.

Image property of:CAA.Inc.Photographer:David M. Klein

The sacral transverse processes contribute to the larger mass of the sacrum fusing to form the intermediate sacral crest on its posterior surface.

Thanks to Dr. Mary M Tuchscherer for her comments and improvement of this article.

Michael Servetus (1511 -1553) was a Spanish theologian, physician, and anatomist. He is also known as  Miguel Servet, Miguel Serveto, and Michel de Villeneuve. Servetus had studies in a multitude of fields, including catography, mathematics, pharmacology, astronomy, etc. He was born in 1511 in Aragon, Spain. Servetus started his studies in law in 1531and Medicine in 1536, where he excelled as an anatomist. Just as Andreas Vesalius and William Harvey, he clashed with the Galenic vision of anatomy and physiology.  He correctly stated the theory of pulmonary circulation, but with no logical proof as Harvey.

Servetus was openly critical of the catholic church, publishing three books that openly questioned the Holy Trinity dogma. Servetus published his findings on pulmonary circulation in a controversial book "Cristianismi Restitutio", where pulmonary circulation was only one of the points he made which were mostly his position on the Holy Trinity and questioning the idea that everyone was predestined, as the catholic church professed at that time. His anatomical views were the least of his problems; because of this open criticism of Galen and the church. Servetus was burnt at the stake in Geneva on October 27, 1553.

The [vertebral endplate] is the term used to denote a structure formed by the superior (and inferior)  aspect of the vertebral body and a layer of hyaline cartilage related to it. The vertebral endplate is formed by the cortical bone of the anular epiphysis, the central depression and the hyaline cartilage that fills the depresssion.

The vertebral endplate is important for the health of the intervertebral disk (IVD). Since the IVD loses its blood supply early in life all the nutrition to the IVD has to pass through the cortical bone and the hyaline cartilage. Note that hyaline cartilage is avascular. Separation of the components of the vertebral endplate due to trauma or other pathology can cause the IVD to become pathological. 

The vertebral endplate also plays an important role in the biomechanics of spine movement. Being slightly incurved, the endplate acts as a shock absorber, bending up to 1/2 mm. Damage to the endplate can reduce this function and set the stage for failure of the endplate and a potential vertebral fracture.

Image property of:CAA.Inc.Photographer:David M. Klein