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Anatomy & Physiology vocabulary · Body Regions and Directional Terms

Deep

Meaning in anatomy & physiology, with examples

/diːp/adjectiveCore term

In anatomy & physiology, deep means: Farther from the surface of the body, toward the inside. For example, the bones of the arm are deep to the muscles that cover them.

In Turkish: derin, derinde

How it is used

The opposite of superficial, used with 'to': deep to the fascia. It appears in names such as deep veins and deep tendon reflexes. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg.

Example sentences

  1. The deep veins of the leg run between the muscles, not under the skin.

  2. In the dissection, cut through the fascia to see the structures that lie deep to it.

Common collocations

  • deep to
  • deep vein
  • deep fascia
  • deep tendon reflex
  • superficialCloser to the surface of the body. For example, the skin is superficial to the muscles, and superficial veins can often be seen under the skin.
  • veinA blood vessel that carries blood back toward the heart. Most veins carry blood that is low in oxygen; the pulmonary veins are the exception, bringing oxygen-rich blood from the lungs.
  • reflexA fast, automatic response to a stimulus that does not need conscious thought, such as pulling your hand away from something hot. Many simple reflexes are handled by the spinal cord.

More terms: Body Regions and Directional Terms

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.