肋
rib
Readings
On'yomi
- ロク
Kun'yomi
- あばら
Meaning
肋 centers on the rib, the curved bone in the chest. It is a specific anatomical term without broad abstract extensions.
Most common words using 肋
- 肋骨あばらぼね
rib
- 肋あばら
rib; rib cage
- 肋ばら
boneless rib (esp. of pork or beef); boned rib
- 肋間ろっかん
intercostal
- 中肋ちゅうろく
midrib; rachis
- 肋下動脈ろっかどうみゃく
subcostal artery
- 肋凹ろくおう
costal fovea
- 肋木ろくぼく
wall bars
- 肋材ろくざい
lumber (for the ribs of a ship)
- 肋膜ろくまく
pleura
- 肋膜炎ろくまくえん
pleurisy
- 肋軟骨ろくなんこつ
costal cartilage
- 肋軟骨炎ろくなんこつえん
costochondritis
- 肋間動脈ろっかんどうみゃく
intercostal artery
- 肋間神経ろっかんしんけい
intercostal nerve
- 肋間神経痛ろっかんしんけいつう
intercostal neuralgia
- 肋間筋ろっかんきん
intercostal muscle
- 肋骨挙筋ろっこつきょきん
levatores costarum
- 腸肋筋ちょうろくきん
iliocostalis muscle
Study
Etymology
肋 combines the flesh radical ⺼ (meat, body part) with 力, which likely contributes the sound. The character specifically denotes the rib.
Meaning mnemonic
The flesh radical ⺼ on the left indicates a body part, and the right side 力 suggests strength. Picture the strong, curved ribs protecting the chest like a cage.
Reading mnemonic
For ロク, imagine a rib cage as a locked box of bones: lock -> ロク, and the ribs are the locked bars around your chest.