The opening at the end of the alimentary canal through which solid waste leaves the body.
From Latin 'anus' meaning 'ring' or 'circle,' related to 'annus' (year) and reflecting the circular shape of the opening. The anatomical term has remained largely unchanged since classical Latin medical texts.
Despite being a perfectly clinical anatomical term, 'anus' demonstrates how cultural taboos can make even medical language feel awkward. The word's Latin origin reflects ancient physicians' matter-of-fact approach to human anatomy, contrasting sharply with modern discomfort around bodily functions.
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