#correct anatomical terminology

[princess-canary]

In honour of hitting 100,000 words on the ao3 fic, here’s one of my favourite snippets from Chapter 30:

She thought she knew what she wanted until the first ultrasound. He set her up with a private doctor in a private clinic and sat by her side, holding her hand. He had tried not to look excited, but she knew; she could feel it when they were in the car, she could see it on his face whenever he looked at her, touched her, kissed her. He was doing his best to hold it all in for her, and that meant the world to her. His excitement seemed unwavering, until they were actually in the exam room, and she was naked from the waist down and her feet were propped up on padded rests. He nearly passed the fuck out when the doctor pulled out an 8-inch wand, rolled a condom over it and lubed it up.

‘That’s going where now?’ He had asked, eyes bulging, as if an 8-inch wand wasn’t what got them sitting in the doctor’s office in the first place.

‘See, that’s what we should have done.’ She had said condescendingly, pointing to the condom. Bruce went pale when she barely flinched, and at the complete nonchalant attitude she was showing. He squeezed her hand, holding it to his forehead as he bowed his head, trying not to think about the fact she was hooked up to a machine via her vagina and didn't seem to care. For a technophobe, she was surprisingly calm.

[post-punk-revival]

Hi bird therians! I'd like to present the following list of definitions of avian terminology; instincts and anatomy. Specifically, terms for things that many birdkin may already be aware of due to their own shifts, but not know the word for or even that it's a real and normal thing. Why do I make that assumption? Because my own mind was blown every time I discovered one of these words, the way things I would do or phantom parts I would feel suddenly made sense. So I hope to induce the same reaction in at least someone.

Behaviors

Mantling is mostly a bird of prey thing, the action of leaning over a kill and shielding the spoils with your wings so as to defend it from thieves. I can do no better of a description than a photo, included at the bottom of this post and for raptors it will probably spark recognition.

Rousing is the word for that "slowly fluff up the feathers and then shake the whole body" thing that birds do. Yes, it does have a name! Birds do it when relaxed or just chilly. It is not a threat display. I experience this as like an near-involuntary action -- like scratching an itch or sneezing -- and because I'm not actually raising physical feathers it feels kind of like shivering. But it sort of feels frustrating that I can't seem to achieve it. Like when a sneeze goes away.

Feather-plucking (pterotillomania) is a maladaptive habit birds in captivity develop when they are stressed. You see it most often with parrots, because they're kept as pets more than other birds and are also extremely intelligent so more easily understimulated. Sometimes this does feel like being a bird in captivity and a lot of you might experience this instinct without knowing what it is your brain's asking to do because you have no feathers. Calling it pterotillomania is helpful to me because I have actual dermotillomania and if my body had feathers I'd be plucking them.

Anatomy

Nictitating membrane. Starting with this because you may already know it by now. The third eyelid of birds, translucent, drawn sideways across the eye so that you can keep it moist while still being able to see. Also, as you may know, relevant to cat therians!

Crop. Part of the digestive tract of a bird in the throat where food is temporarily stored before being digested. If you had these shifts it would feel like, according to Wikipedia, basically an enlarged portion of the esophagus.

Keel. An extension of the sternum, the structure to which flight muscles are attached. If you had these shifts it would feel like a thin bone going beneath (or I guess on a humanoid body plan, in front of) your ribcage.

Cloaca. In the interest of not having to mark this post mature, I will not define or describe this one. I encourage you to look it up. Mammals are already working to reduce the stigma surrounding these types of shifts and instincts; we can do the same. There is no shame in it. You're a bird and birds have these. Accept it.

Birds do have sensation in our beaks. There are nerve endings in the beak. Not as much as, say, human skin, but yes, birds can feel touch on their beaks. If you can feel your beak, great! That is anatomically correct, and it certainly does not make you fake!

And now for your enjoyment, a mantling eagle:

[awkwardandeccentric]

So I know that Blitzø using the anatomically correct term ‘cloaca’ is just a throw away joke-

But the fact that he PUT ASIDE HIS EGO and RESEARCHED the correct terminology and LEARNED HOW TO PRONOUNCE IT-

Just…10/10. Red lizard man has fallen so hard.

(How much you wanna bet that he actually knows how to spell it, too?)

[ezrasbedroom]

intro || 10.2.24

hi, i’m ezra! this post will include some basic information about me and what i’m into 🫶

disclaimer: this is all kink! i’m happy in my transition and do not actually want to be treated as a woman in my daily life.

about me: i’m an 18 y/o ftm who is into being misgendered and forcibly feminized. i’m having fun exploring this kink and wanted to make a tumblr blog to engage with the community here :) i’ve been on T for 2 years now & i’m currently pre-top surgery. i don’t plan on having bottom surgery. my alt account is @ezrasbackrooms.

measurements: i’m 5’1”, 115 lbs, and have a 32DD cup chest.

pronouns/terminology: he/him only outside of kink. within kink, anything goes. anatomically correct and feminine terms welcome 💞

turn-ons: forced feminization, misgendering, detrans, consensual non-consent, rapeplay, freeuse, gangbang, degradation, breeding, pregnancy, misogyny/patriarchy, praise, objectification

turnoffs: raceplay, piss/scat, incest, bestiality, lactation, hucow & anything related, femdom, inflation, vore, bimboification, ageplay

dni: minors / “ageless” accounts, terfs. cishet men are on thin ice.

💞 i’m gay, in a relationship, and monogamous. my bf is @isochromatica ^_^ i’m open to dms and may reply to them, but i won’t sext. that aside, feel free to send me anything, including fantasies/pics! i consent to all topics except for my turnoffs.

finally, this is my throne, if ur feeling generous!! <3 anything at all is appreciated.

& this is my fansly, if you want access to more explicit content ^-^

[constance-dartagnan]

love reading sex scenes from the POV of a scientist character because sometimes the author will commit to using the same level of detail and anatomically correct terminology that you would find in their lab notebook

[shsl-box-worshipper]

A Lesson on Dragons

(A ficlet from The Dragons of Lyoko AU, where Code Lyoko takes place in a modern version of the setting of HTTYD.) Masterpost Coming Soon

It was cold September morning in the year 2001 when the final bell of Kadic Academy rang shrill against the sluggish morning atmosphere.

School had only begun a few days, yet its exhaustion already sank its teeth into the children.

And no place where this exhaustion was more apparent than Ms. Hertz's biology class. Children were either starting mischief, sleeping at their lab counters, or not even present.

However, the exhaustive atmosphere came to a screeching halt with the slam of the front door and the appearance of the woman herself.

*BANG!*

"Now, children, turn to the front and keep quiet while I call for attendance."

A stern, strict woman with graying hair, a lab coat, and glasses marched her way to her desk as the class silently watched with bated breath.

Ms. Hertz wasn't the greatest teacher, but she did a good damn job of it. She always dedicated herself to making sure her little prodigies had their heads overflowing with knowledge by the time she was done with them.

And, as she quickly finished attendance, today was no exception to that rule.

"Now, turn to page 227 in your animal biology textbooks while I set up today's lesson."

The lesson she had for this particular day required more of a digital presentation than most of her lessons did. But then again, this week's unit is going to be dedicated to a highly complex order of animals. It was important she be as clear and as concise as possible.

So, while her students flipped to the respective page, she went around the room to close the curtains, roll up the projector, and insert the reel she was going to use.

And then, she flicked off the lights, bathing the classroom in darkness. At first, the children had no idea what was going on, even calling out in fear in some cases. Then, she turned on the projector.

Suddenly, a beam of light shot across the class, pointing directly at the white screen she used for her presentations. On that screen displayed a minimalist depiction of the subject of today's lesson.

"Now, children, today, we are going to discussing dragons. Now, I am sure that you all are aware of such creatures, as they are quite popular work animals and pets, but can someone give me an exact definition of what a dragon is?"

She looked around for any raised hands at her beckoning. She was disappointed with the lack of participation. However, before she could volun-tell someone to take the plunge, she was relieved to see a hand finally come up.

"Ah, Jeremie! Good to see you putting effort in as always. Now, can you tell us, if your own words, what a dragon is?"

Jeremie was a blond-haired boy with thick glasses, a blue turtleneck sweater, and tan khakis. It was obvious he was quite nervously discussing such a topic, but was able to spit it out regardless.

"Uh-They're a group of large, powerful reptiles. The most common traits are they can fly and they have some sort of weapon that can make them deadly."

Hertz smirked as she turned to the next slide, always happy that Jeremie was able to pick up the slack where most failed.

"Correct, Jeremie. Though the correct terminology would be that they are an order of reptiles. Specifically, Order Draconica."

The slide she had turned to showed a textbook diagram of the anatomical structure of a particular dragon species. Judging by her memory, this should be a diagram of a Deadly Nadder's organs, specifically a halignus and its digestive digestive system, but it could be a Gronkle's genitalia for all she knew. It had been forever since the school updated the presentation.

"Like Jeremie said, the most common attribute among dragons is that they are large reptiles that share a common ancestor that is distinct from most other reptiles. Now, as seen here, this is the inside of Volarignus Spinicus, commonly known as the Deadly Nadder."

Some of the kids gagged once Hertz said that. Whether out of actual disgust or to make fun of her class, she had no idea. However, she tried to continue on as if she hadn't heard it.

"This particular diagram showcases specific subsections of her internal organs."

She then pointed at the Nadder's lower digestive system, emphasizing it as she went on with her lecture.

"This is a Nadder's stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. While dragons, like all animals, have a variety of different diets, the Nadder in particular is mainly a carnivore. It can eat anything, but the best for it's system is meat."

A small hand rose up in the back, high above the drone-like heads that stared off into space. Hertz, attentive as always, quickly pointed to it.

"Yes, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth, or rather Sissi, was shaken somewhat by the wrong name usage, her eyebrow twitching and her face briefly pitting into disgust. However, she kept her composure long enough to ask her question.

"Ummm, what's that near the Nadder's mouth?"

Hmmmm...Oh!

Hertz found what Sissi was refering to when she saw the somewhat large organ, or more accurately organs, on the Nadder's jaw in the diagram.

"Ah, good question, Ms. Delmas," she said before pointing at the organ, "That is a Nadder's halignus, an organ that is only found in most species of dragons. This organ is responsible for the breath weapon of most dragons. Like other organs, it always looks different and function different depending on the species."

She then walked over and moved along the presentation, the slide of a Monstrous Nightmare's halignus now being shown.

"This is a Monstrous Nightmare's halignus for comparison. Notice how one tube of the organ extends out and breaks off into tinier tubes as it reaches the skin. Well, that is because this fuel also serves a dual purpose of regulating the dragon's body temperature. It can cool the dragon all on it's own or..."

She then moved on to yet another slide. However, it got more of a reaction out of her students than the previous ones before.

However, it wasn't disgust or anything negative of the sort. It was wonder, as subtle wows filled the class. She was expecting this, of course.

After all, how could a bunch of teenagers hold themselves back from being shocked at the sight of a Monstrous Nightmare rising up to the skies, covered in flames and fire like a phoenix from hell?

"It can ignite it to keep warm and as a territorial display. This also served as a combat advantage when being hunted by other dragons and our ancestors."

As always, she will thrive in whatever chance she can have to surprise her students, and this was no exception. However, she also realized that she didn't have much time left. Only about 30 minutes to get today's assignment done in class. So, turning the projector off and saving the remaining presentation for the rest of the week, she turned to her kids as she walked over to turn on the lights.

"Now, any questions before we begin with today's assignment?"

Surprisingly, as she finally brought like back into the lab, she was met with a raised hand. From...Jeremie?

"Yes, Jeremie?"

What kind of question could her star pupil have?

Oh well, she might as well give a listen. Jeremie stood and cleared his throat as Hertz walked back to her desk.

"I-I was busy reading a book on mythology, and noticed there was a species of dragon in the book called a Night Fury? I-Is there a real-life equivalent or...?"

Hmmm, good question, though she expected better from her best student. This is a topic he could've easily researched with a little effort.

"Hmmm, there is one such species. However, they are considered extinct in the wild due to poaching and purposeful extinction efforts in the past, but there are about a hundred in captivity. Of course, we, the average civilian, cannot see them, but there are plans for some breeding programs to bring them back into the wild."

Jeremie nodded and his eyes became obscured by the light bouncing off his glasses as he sat back into his seat.

"Okay...thank you, Ms. Hertz."

Weird, even he usually wasn't this meek. Oh well, he probably realized he could've researched that topic on his own.

"Now, for your assignment, please read from 227 up to 252 silently and give me a paragraph about a dragon fact you find interesting on a piece of loose leaf paper. Remember to put your name and date so I can grade them properly."

As Hertz finally sat her computer, she noticed how Jeremie kept looking at his desk in a solemn way. As if whatever Hertz said to him was gnawing at him alive.

Oh well, Hertz thought. It was probably nothing.

[maniacalshen]

Does anybody else get into arguments with their Barotrauma submarine crew because you insist on using correct nautical/anatomical terminology?

It's not too much to expect a medic living on the ocean moon Europa to understand aft, dorsal, and ventral, right?

[zwoelffarben]

To be fair,

Endosex Cis Men only have 'the one pipe'.

The urethra is a part of the vulva which many people will, in casual speech, refer to in synecdoche as the vagina; so, answering the question with "the vagina" might come from a nomenclative error like 'that whole area's called the vagina innit?' instead of the anatomic error of, 'piss comes out the literal vaginal opening.'

The state of sex education isn't,... (most places instagram users are) great; and, it's unfair to expect anyone to know something they were never taught.

To be balanced,

The one pipe endosex cis men do have is also called the urethra, so you'd hope some of them would just luck into the correct answer by analogy (but maybe they ain't know their pipe's name either).

There's a special name for being wrong 'cause you don't know the exact technical terminology of things. It's called "being wrong." A nomenclative error is still an error.

Even if it's unfair to expect them to know, wrong answers can still reveal a specific type of intellectual incuriousity which I wouldn't want in a partner, so in addition to being a point and laugh at the ignorami while weeping internally about the horrid state of sex education that grown men ain't know what part of the body women piss out of thing, it also functions as a perfectly cromulent litmus test to screen against ignorami.

my favourite instagram account is "wheredoesthepeecomeout" and it's run by a girl who asks men on tinder where cis women pee from and then documents their answers

[insectify-a]

ON PERSONAL TERMINOLOGY, GENDERED TERMINOLOGY, & SELF IDENTIFICATION...

YES...

Masculine terms; man, guy, male — yes.

Bug, specimen, insect, dragonfly — these are the terms he strongly prefers to refer to himself with! Make his little buggy heart melt by calling him an insect.

Griffinfly, meganeura monyi — you paid enough attention to his little rambles to know exactly what he is. He loves you now, by the way. Not typically what he refers to himself as socially, given the terms do flow off the tongue a bit clumsily, BUT he'll happily take someone else calling him such.

Age-related comments — boy, gramps, old man, comments referring to his age. Despite being chronologically 27, he experiences no dysmorphia or other disconnect when his physical age doesn't line up. He'll take being called an old man, but expect a playfully snarky response back.

Queen — interestingly enough, if he were to be royalty, he would view himself as a queen over a king ; for it is the queen which rules over a hive of insects, and he associates the term more with leadership and power than femininity. It's not a gendered term in his mind. He can, uh, yes queen slay, as the kids these days say?

MAYBE...

Person, human — he acknowledges he is half-human at his base, but socially he doesn't much identify with the term. In public settings when he's human-moding, sure, he'll call himself a human, but he's bristling the whole time. He's not a person, he's a bug! If you are a trusted friend of his, in private settings, then he expects you to refer to him as an insect over a human.

Damselfly — technically more accurate than dragonfly, yes, but he does get a little bit deflated when he's called such. It doesn't sound quite as cool as dragonfly...

They/them pronouns — he'll accept them, but not what he prefers. They feel a tad othering to him. He supposes that technically his body is comprised of two living beings, so in scientific contexts discussing the interactions between his human and insect half, he wouldn't mind if 'they' is used to explicitly refer to both halves at the same time... But outside of that context, he isn't a fan.

Female — while Noland does view himself as wholly male, in scientific contexts exclusively, when relevant he will indicate that his physical body is that of a genetically female homo sapiens combined with a specimen of a male meganeura monyi. Should someone else refer to him as female, however, he'll correct them with man, not female.

Girl — in joking contexts, he's fine to be a girlboss.

NO...

Woman — never ever.

WHEN HE DISCUSSES HIS PRE-TRANSITION SELF, he does refer to himself in the feminine. That he was once just some little girl who, it turned out, wasn't much of a girl at all. Looking at himself in the past, he doesn't consider himself to have 'always been a man deep inside', and while it gets a bit muddy into his later teenage years, before a certain point he does just view that past self as strictly a girl. Noland doesn't get distressed if other people refer to him in the feminine should they be discussing his past, either.

WHEN HE DISCUSSES HIS OWN ANATOMY, he does prefer using what he deems as anatomically correct language for himself, especially if he's getting to talk about all the little changes he's made to his body...

While his chest is his chest, when he refers to it before he gave himself top surgery, he will speak of his breasts. Doesn't really like using the word tits for himself.

No fancy terms or euphemisms for his uterus ; he refers to it pretty plainly. Once or twice he'll speak of it as that damned thing in the jar on the shelf, but more out of humour than a desire to avoid the term.

When it comes to his ovipositor, he has never really been keen on the terms cock, dick, penis when referring to it. He doesn't mind if others refer to it like that, but to him he feels more confident referring to it simply as his ovipositor! Or bug bits. Bug parts. Anatomy. Genetically modified egg-laying organ, if he wants to speak a mouthful. He doesn't get dysphoric discussing the actual goings-on down there, and if someone shows genuine interest and isn't just asking to gawk, he has no problems discussing how it's a modification of his vaginal anatomy.

Vagina is... fine? Technically correct, he supposes. He's not keen on the words pussy or cunt though when referring to his genital anatomy, less due to dysphoria reasons and more because they just sound a bit immature and unprofessional to him :(

[androphagy]

i appreciate and agree with that post where you talk about how "transfemininity is not a separate form of womanhood" but why do you have to refer to cis women as "anatomically female" ? because trans women aren't "anatomically male" thats just upholding the sex binary in a way that contributes to us (trans women) being seen as something separate or deluded

oh i meant as in "has a vagina" but in my reading and research it's a term i see used instead of AFAB, as AFAB doesn't cover internal intersex characteristics and CAFAB is specifically in relation to intersex gender assignment (with coercive being the first letter.) so i suppose i could use CAFAB/AFAB, but then that also groups together what can be very different situations person-to-person with gender assignment at birth and "corrective" assignment at a later date. anatomically female in the case of my writing just means a uterus, ovaries, vagina, and the "usual" external anatomy (though that varies as well with born superficial anatomical differences such as a lack of a labia minora, for example.) trans men and transmascs are also anatomically female until/if they have surgery to create a penis, testicles, etc. believe me, i would do away with male/female altogether if i could, but unfortunately for the culture and history i'm writing in relation to there's not another sex-based dichotomy in which i can use.

it's a situation i wish didn't have to have a delineation at all, but there are genital differences that are important to make distinctions on when speaking on certain transgender issues -- especially relating to SRS and other forms of gender affirming care. i'm still anatomically female as i'm not intersex and haven't had SRS yet (though hoping to change that next year!) though i have modified sex characteristics such as a large clitoris and flat chest due to my recent bilateral mastectomy. the same is for trans women and transfems when they develop breasts, fat deposits, and if genital atrophy occurs (along with many other changes estrogen can induce! there are a few different hormones and anti-androgens which can impact different things, so it varies.)

that's all i meant by anatomically female :) i hope i didn't come across as mansplain-y, transgender hormone therapy, history, and culture is something i'm very interested in, both MTF and FTM; unfortunately i'm less versed in FTX and MTX, as i'm in a certain "field" right now, but i do intend to learn more about nonbinary affirmative surgery and care.

i know the comparison is very overdone, but it truly is a metamorphosis akin to a caterpillar to butterfly. the human body's "base state" being able to be changed and modified so thoroughly to match what an individual really wants, instead of what they're born with, is amazing. the first phalloplasty was actually done in 1936, but it wouldn't be until 1946 that the first trans man would have one done, and that took 13 procedures over 4 years! if you're interested, i can see if i can crack a few of these papers/books and i can provide some readings.

i'm sorry that this got so long; with everything, there are going to be pros and cons with the language you use, and there's always going to be issues with the terminology, especially when it's a delicate subject with such a massive range of experiences. thank you for your message and for weighing in!! i will look more into alternative terms, though i really want to avoid using terminology like "penis-havers" or listing out all of the individual anatomical parts.

[camprell-art]

Oh by original I meant YOUR original approach before your redraw- The original drawing YOU did I mean- Yes, I DO prefer the original designs, but that's...Kind of a given because of the fact one seeks out fanart regarding the game looks for different interpretations of the media they're familiar with-

And fine, I'll refer to "semi realism" instead then. Apologies for this, I generally use the "anime" as a branched term to describe more anatomically proportionate designs, yet stylised, versions of non humanistic characters- I'll use the terminology correct in the future.

Have a good day and well done with your art! :)

Oooooooh I see!

Sometimes I have some favorites too, that one "recent" redraw had its charm before, I would do it how I did some years ago, but I was like "I colored them so nicely, I don't want to ruin that by making it monochromatic" anfjahf

There's also the thing that I started going farther than what the game is, I call it "my canon" for this exact reason, so there will be things that are very close to the game and others that will be straight up insanity, and designs also got more complicate with references to real fashion or outfits, like how Mimi wears only dresses and skirts, she should give this 50s or 60s vibe (I fail at this because I love to draw exxagerated and old timey clothes), Dimentio is a mix between 18th century and that other era with that things in the neck that I forgot the name, and O'Chunks is based on a samurai! This is actually canon! So I gave him accessories that would look like something a samurai would wear, like the shoulder things, but also trying to keep the gladiator theme he clearly has.

Thank you for your comprehension and compliment! I hope I didnt misunderstood what you said again, I read it so many times you have no idea. X)

And I do understand the anime thing, I used to think the same, but as a person that liked manga and anime before, I saw a difference between some styles and the usual form of drawing something with the intention of looking like Asian animation and comics, simpler noses, big, big eyes, very thin lips or no lips at all, and sadly, not much diversity of faces and body types, it's basically always meant to be appealing and that's kinda lame... But of course, every "bad" thing has its good side, I can't say that anime inspired style, being it intentional or not, is ugly and unacceptable, a lot of art makes me amazed with all the details, artistic choices, lighting, beautiful eyes, great comporal and facial expressions, and a lot more! But I also have so much hatred for the genshin design pattern for pure "uuugh, this is so made just for marketing, why are these designs so damn complicated and they still don't communicate anything??" like, there IS art there, I won't lie, but what are those outfits???? Anfjahf

Sorry for all that text, I'm so passionate about art, I just can't shut up!

[kickingassfast]

[points at] Masochist.

                      ❝ 𝒀𝑬𝑨𝑯......... . .so what if i want someone t'[REDACTED] me by the BALL-SHAPED ACTION FIGURE APPENDAGE that i use t'swivel my big ol' head around? ❞

[keykidpilipili]

I finally found out why the design for the Kumo desu ga nani ka anime and og novel bugged me... 

It looks like her cephalothorax only has a head and no thorax.

[ellsieee]

Hahahaha what???? We do?? And why is the word penis censored? That's the correct anatomical terminology!

[keep-dreaming-killjoys]

okay, but the do re mi parody kinda slaps. I mean, it doesn't use gender specific language, just anatomically correct terminology and explains basic concepts of reproduction straightforwardly. a pretty neat educational song if you ask me.

[mithliya]

Simple but effective changes I make to my language:

Referring to women as women or ladies, and not girls.

Female as default language

Assuming animals are female, unless it's obvious said animal is male (visible genitalia, highly sexually dimorphic species such as chickens, etc)

Abstaining from using female-specific insults or ones that denigrate femaleness (bitch, cunt, pussy, etc)

Abstaining from using "guys" to refer to mixed-sex groups

Saying "lesbians and bi women" instead of cutesy nebulous terms such as "wlw" or "sapphic"

Using "sex" instead of "gender" and "sex roles/stereotypes" instead of "gender roles"

Using anatomically correct terminology to refer to women's genitalia instead of referring to all of it as "vagina"

Feel free to add your own

source: inceloid