postaxial

[ pohst-ak-see-uhl ]

adjective

, Anatomy, Zoology.

1. pertaining to or situated behind the axis of the body, especially the posterior side of the axis of a limb.

postaxial

/ pəʊstˈæksɪəl /

adjective

1. situated or occurring behind the axis of the body
2. of or relating to the posterior part of a vertebrate limb

Other Words From

• post·axi·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of postaxial¹

First recorded in 1870–75; post- + axial

Example Sentences

As in some members of the latter order there is a single ocellus on each side of the head, the penultimate and antepenultimate segments of the toxicognaths are complete on the postaxial side of the appendage, and spiracles are present upon the 3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 12th and 14th leg-bearing somites.

From Project Gutenberg

The penultimate and antepenultimate segments of the toxicognaths are reduced on the preaxial side of the appendage to the condition of arthrodial integumental folds and suppressed on the postaxial side where the distal segment or fang is firmly jointed to the femoral segment.

From Project Gutenberg

The postaxial processes on the humerus, ulna and ulnare could scarcely have been larval features only, since they are so clearly homologous with those in adult Rhipidistia; a larval limb should indeed be simple, but its simplicity is unlikely to involve paleotelic adult characters.

From Project Gutenberg

Posteriorly, there is a short, broad expansion resembling the entepicondyle of the humerus, and even more nearly like the postaxial flanges in a crossopterygian fin.

From Project Gutenberg

The radius and tibia are, at an early stage in development, on the anterior edge of their respective limbs; the ulna and fibula, posterior; the former are spoken of as preaxial in position, the latter as postaxial.

From Project Gutenberg