Pronunciation: [lˈatəs] (IPA) 
The word "latus" is spelled l-a-t-u-s. In IPA phonetic transcription, this is /ˈlɑː.tʊs/. The first syllable is pronounced like "lah," with a long "a" sound. The second syllable is pronounced like "tuh," with a short "u" sound. The final syllable is pronounced like "us," with a short "u" sound again. "Latus" is a Latin word that means "side" or "flank," and it is commonly used in anatomy to refer to the sides of the body.
The term "latus" is derived from the Latin word "latus," meaning "side" or "flank." It is primarily used in the fields of geometry and anatomy to refer to the sides of an object or shape.
In geometry, "latus" is commonly employed when discussing polygons such as triangles, squares, and rectangles. It specifically denotes any of the straight line segments that form the boundaries of the polygon. For instance, in a triangle, each of the three sides is referred to as a latus. Similarly, in a rectangle or a square, the four sides are known as latuses.
In anatomy, "latus" is used to describe the sides or flanks of the human body. It typically refers to the lateral or outer parts of the torso, extending from underneath the arms to the hips. This term finds utility when discussing anatomical landmarks, such as the position of organs or specific body structures.
Furthermore, the word "latus" can also be found in Latin phrases, for instance, "latus rectum" in conic sections to define the line segment from the vertex of a parabola to the point on its curve. It is also encountered in legal contexts, where phrases like "ex-officio latus" are used to refer to the powers granted to certain officials by virtue of their positions.
In summary, "latus" is a Latin term utilized to denote the sides or flanks of an object or shape, including polygons in geometry or the lateral parts of the human body in anatomy.
• The side, the flank; a side.
• Broad.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "latus" comes from Latin, where it means "side" or "flank". In Latin, it is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *steh₂- ("to stand"). The word "latus" is related to various other Latin words like "later" (meaning "side"), "lateralis" (meaning "lateral" or "of the side"), and "latercula" (meaning "brick").
