An Australian anatomy professor is advocating for the renaming of certain body parts, arguing that some anatomical terms are outdated, irrelevant, and rooted in misogyny.
Dr. Kristin Small believes names like “Adam’s apple” and “Achilles tendon” should be updated since they reference men despite being present in both male and female bodies. She wants anatomical terminology to be more inclusive and not centered solely on the male perspective. Through her initiative, she hopes to modernize medical language, starting with societies like Australia and the United States.
In addition to teaching anatomy, Dr. Small is a specialist obstetrician in Queensland. With her experience in the medical field, she recognizes the need for a shift in terminology and has taken the lead in educating her students on alternative names. While she requires them to use traditional terms during exams, she introduces them to more inclusive and anatomically precise alternatives.
“I believe we have the choice to decolonize our language, and these historical terms will naturally fade out,” Dr. Small told the Courier-Mail.
Dr. Nisha Khot, a council member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, supports this movement, stating that many young medical trainees prefer using updated terminology once they learn the origins of certain medical terms.
One example is the term “hysterectomy,” which stems from the outdated belief that women suffered from hysteria due to a “weaker” constitution. Historically, doctors would remove a woman’s uterus to treat this supposed condition. To move away from its misogynistic roots, some academics, including Dr. Khot, advocate for the term “uterectomy,” which is more anatomically accurate and neutral.
“This effort started in women’s health, but the conversation is expanding across the medical community. Using clearer, more relevant terms benefits both doctors and patients,” Dr. Khot explained.
Many commonly used anatomical terms, like “Adam’s apple” and “Achilles tendon,” are named after historical men, while some medical instruments—such as the speculum—carry names tied to figures like American slave traders. Advocates for change believe updating these names will create a more inclusive and equitable medical language.