Basilateral

/bæzɪˈlætərəl/ adjective

Definition

Located at or extending from the base and along the sides, particularly in botanical or anatomical descriptions.

Etymology

From Latin 'basis' (base) + 'lateralis' (relating to the side). This combined anatomical term emerged in 19th-century scientific literature to describe structures with both basal and lateral features.

Kelly Says

Basilateral describes things that spread from a central base outward along the sides—it's like a tree's root system that both digs down and spreads sideways, combining two directions into one word.

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