rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: -alis
Latin

-alis

of, relating to

Forms

  • -alis
  • -aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
  • -al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
  • -ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

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adjective

femoral

FEM-er-ul/ˈfemərəl/

Relating to the thigh or thigh bone.

The diagram highlights the femoral region around the thigh bone.

Medical diagram highlighting thigh region and femur, no genital detail.
Etymology
femorLatinthigh
+alLatinof, relating to

The pieces mean “pertaining to the thigh.” Latin femur named the thigh itself; its English use for the thighbone connects the adjective with both the region and its bone.

In context

Rahul Damania, MD75:12
what does the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve innervate? Well, it is it is sensory to the anterior as well as lateral thigh.
HyGuru | USMLE Step 1: 100 Concepts in Gross Anatomy

More examples

  • The X-ray shows a fracture in the femoral neck.
  • The femoral nerve helps control muscles at the front of the thigh.
  • The doctor checks the femoral pulse near the groin.

Forms

femoral

femur noun — The thigh bone, connecting hip and knee.